Posted on 05/07/2002 6:41:21 PM PDT by Sawdring
Tehran, May 7, IRNA -- Minister of Defense Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani here Tuesday said the upcoming Russian maneuver in the Caspian Sea is not linked with the recent summit of leaders of littoral states in Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Exhibition of Smart Defense Systems, Shamkhani said the war games could be a reaction to the presence of trans-regional forces in the sea. He stressed that the Russian military exercises could also be in response to certain provocative remarks regarding the presence of these troops.
Shamkhani described the Caspian Sea as the sea of peace and stability, and reiterated that the Ashkhabad summit had manifested the need to promote mutual cooperation.
He said Iran's efforts to develop defense cooperation with other countries were part of its confidence-building policy, and stressed that Tehran has been successful in promoting defense ties with Middle East and Central Asian states.
Shamkhani further rejected the reports that Iran is developing Shahab-4 and Shahab-5 long-range missiles, reiterating that the Islamic Republic is still planning to promote its Shahab-3 by using smart defense systems.
The systems, he said, would further increase the cruise and destructive ability of the missile.
Shamkhani stressed that Iran is planning to use the systems as an industrial strategy to upgrade its current military hardware potentials, and to control future needs.
AA/AH End
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