Iran’s Navy Can Strike Well Beyond Coast
Iran’s Naval Commander Mahmoud Mousavi stated that his country’s naval capability now allows it to strike an enemy as far as the Bab al-Mandab, as well as to control the entrance to the strategic waterway along its coast, the Strait of Hormuz. The commander stated Iran’s belief that control of the Strait was the deciding factor in any battle fought in the waters of the Gulf. Iran has previously threatened that it could close the Strait to shipping (carrying 40% percent of the world’s globally traded oil), to which the United States responded that it would protect shipping routes. In addition, the United States continues to object to Iran’s nuclear program and has not ruled out military action, if diplomacy continues to stagnate. The United States has a naval base on the Arab side of the Gulf in Bahrain. Iran’s recent statements regarding its enhanced naval capability may be associated with recent piracy in the Gulf of Aden, near to the Bab al-Mandab, in which Iranian commercial ships have been attacked. While several international warships are already patrolling the waters in search of the Somali pirates, Iran has previously stated that it could use force when dealing with the hijackers.
Bridget Russell
