Iran ready to manufacture cruise missiles

NICOSIA — Iran claims that it is approaching the capability to manufacture cruise missiles.

Officials said Iran's defense industry will soon be able to independently manufacture anti-ship cruise-type missiles. They said that last month the Revolutionary Guards tested a new surface-to-sea missile during military exercises in the Gulf.

"Despite the allegations of American military officials, we have arrived on the verge of being self-sufficient in producing shore-to-sea cruise missiles," Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said.

The minister was responding to doubts expressed within the U.S. defense community that Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in producing anti-ship missiles and similar weapons. Iran's missile is said to be a modification of the Chinese C-802 surface-to-surface missile and meant to be fitted on the Houdong fast patrol craft.

In addition, Iranian officials assert that Teheran can produce surface-to-air missiles with a range of 50 kilometers. They said Iran achieved this capability by modifying surface-to-surface missiles.

Rear Admiral Mohammed Hussin Shafiei, deputy naval commander, said "25 percent of the missile is complete."

Shafiei told the official Islamic Republic News Agency that other military projects being completed are a missile launcher, helicopter and a mini naval vessel that can serve as a rocket-launcher and destroyer.

In August, Iran launched a minisubmarine capable of transporting commandos and laying mines in the Persian Gulf off Bandar Abbas port.