American military and intelligence sources have alleged that Iran’s armed forces have deployed tactical ballistic missiles to Iraqi territory - according to a recent report by the New York Times. The officials cited refused to name the exact classes of missiles deployed, but noted that they had a range exceeding 600 miles (965km). This would allow them to strike Israeli targets if fired from the outskirts of the capital Baghdad. While Iraq and Israel do not share a border, both states border Jordan and Syria and Israel has previously carried out strikes on Iraqi targets. Basing missiles on Iraqi territory would allow Iran to strike Israel with a wider range of missiles, with only its medium and intermediate range missiles such as the Korean supplied Shahab-3 and Musudan being able to strike Israel from Iranian soil.
Iranian influence in Iraq has grown considerably since a U.S. led invasion toppled the Ba’athist government of Saddam Hussein, and Iranian aligned militias have since amassed sizeable arsenals of modern armaments including U.S. made M1 Abrams tanks acquired through the Iraqi government. As tensions between Iran and the Western Bloc have grown, and the U.S. has vastly increased its military presence in the Persian Gulf region, Iraq has been highlighted as a leading potential hotspot with both countries deploying considerable assets to the country. The Iranian Air Force has previously carried out airstrikes against Islamic State forces on Iraqi territory, and has formed close defence ties with the Iraqi government. The ability to deploy missiles from Iraqi territory will complicate missile defence efforts against a potential Iranian strike, and could increase the reach of Iran's arsenal particularly if longer ranged platforms such as the Musudan are later deployed to the country.
militarywatchmagazine.com
Iranian influence in Iraq has grown considerably since a U.S. led invasion toppled the Ba’athist government of Saddam Hussein, and Iranian aligned militias have since amassed sizeable arsenals of modern armaments including U.S. made M1 Abrams tanks acquired through the Iraqi government. As tensions between Iran and the Western Bloc have grown, and the U.S. has vastly increased its military presence in the Persian Gulf region, Iraq has been highlighted as a leading potential hotspot with both countries deploying considerable assets to the country. The Iranian Air Force has previously carried out airstrikes against Islamic State forces on Iraqi territory, and has formed close defence ties with the Iraqi government. The ability to deploy missiles from Iraqi territory will complicate missile defence efforts against a potential Iranian strike, and could increase the reach of Iran's arsenal particularly if longer ranged platforms such as the Musudan are later deployed to the country.
militarywatchmagazine.com
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