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Iran steps up military exercises in key area

Atul Aneja

Teheran sending a message it can influence global economy

DUBAI: Persisting with its show of strength, Iran has tested a land-to-sea missile as well as a "flying boat", near the Strait of Hormuz — an area through which large quantities of Gulf oil are exported.

The Iranians on Tuesday test-fired the Kowsar missile. On Friday, Iranian military commanders said they had tested a missile designed to carry multiple warheads. Analysts say that throughout the course of their on-going military exercises at the strategic junction of the Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the Iranians have been sending a clear message that they have the capacity to influence the global economy, in case they are subjected to a military attack.

Route of oil tankers

On Monday, Iran had tested a high-speed rocket-propelled torpedo, demonstrating its capability to target submarines. Tuesday's missile test showed it had the capacity to hit surface ships. Observers point out that the location of the exercise has been significant as oil tankers heading towards overseas destinations pass through the Strait of Hormuz — a bottleneck that opens into the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption of supplies is likely to send the price of oil into a spiral. Already Brent crude oil futures on Monday jumped to $67.93 a barrel — the highest after Hurricane Katrina, after the Iranians declared that they had tested their high speed torpedo, Hoot (whale), in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's naval manoeuvres are taking place against the backdrop of growing tensions with the West over Teheran's nuclear programme. Iran has so far defied the 30-day ultimatum of the U.N. Security Council to halt all uranium enrichment activity. There have been suggestions in the United States that Iranian nuclear facilities could be subjected to air strikes. Reiterating that there was no change in its nuclear stance, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Tuesday that his country would persist with its atomic programme, as was its right, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"There are two paths available to us: that of understanding, cooperation, dialogue and work within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that of confrontation. The Islamic republic prefers the former," he said.

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