Iran Presents New Sea-Based Cruise Missile

16.10.2012 Iranian deputy defense minister Brigadier General Mehdi Farahi announced coming presentation of the new domestically-developed sea-based cruise missile named Qadir.

"Our missiles, including the Zafar, Nasr, Nour, Qader and the forthcoming Qadir cruise missiles can be fired from vessels with a speed of over 30 knots", said Farahi who also heads defense ministry's aerospace department, reports Interfax.

The general emphasized that Iranian cruise and coast-to-sea missiles were capable to perform various tasks depending on the treats.

Iranian state Press TV points out that Iran has made great progress in defense matters in the recent years and managed to become self-sufficient in basic weapon systems.

Western media informed on Oct 15 that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps headed by Mohammad Ali Jafari had allegedly developed a plan to make an environmental disaster in the Strait of Hormuz. Reportedly, it would help Iran to get rid of international sanctions for some time.

Meanwhile, on Oct 11, an American carrier strike group led by USS John C. Stennis entered area of responsibility of US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

The mentioned responsibility area includes the Persian Gulf, the Arabian and the Red seas, and the Gulf of Aden. According to US Navy, three aircraft carriers are presently stationed in the region, including USS Dwight D. Eisenhower being deployed off Pakistan and supporting NATO forces in Afghanistan, and USS Enterprise stationed in the Gulf of Aden.

As for the Pentagon, carrier strike group of USS John C. Stennis comprises a guided missile cruiser, four destroyers, and a nuclear-powered attack submarine.