MESOP NEWS FOCUS : THE “REFORMERS” & “DIALOGUE PARTNERS” BUILT NEW LONG RANGE MISSILES – TARGETING ISRAEL

Iran Daily: Revolutionary Guards — We’ve Built 3rd Underground Missile Factory

26 May 2017 – In their first significant statement since last Friday’s re-election of President Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have proclaimed the construction of a third underground facility for production of ballistic missiles.

The commander of the Guards’ Aerospace Division, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, declared on Thursday that the Islamic Republic will continue to strengthen its “defensive missile might in the face of security threats facing the nation”.

Emphasizing that Iran is self-sufficient in the material and technology for producing the missiles, Hajizadeh continued:It is natural for the US and Israel to be concerned and nervous over our missile production, missile tests and the display of our missile cities as they always want the Iranian nation to be in the position of weakness.I hereby announce that in recent years the third underground missile production factory has been inaugurated.

Hajizadeh’s statement appeared to be not only a message but also to Rouhani, whose return to office was opposed by the Guards as their outlets promoted hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi.During the campaign, the President criticized the Guards’ approach to ballistic missile testing, saying that it was jeopardizing implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal with the 5+1 Powers and thus hindering Iranian economy recovery. Rouhani said that provocative slogans on the missiles further risked alienation of international goodwill towards the Islamic Republic.

In his victory speech, Rouhani was more conciliatory, praising the Guards for their contribution to the security of Iran and saying that the missile tests were defensive and should continue.  www.mesop.de