Even with the US and Israel leading coordinated cyberattacks and targeted killings, Iran is on its way to bypass international sanctions, resume its exports of crude oil and continue research and development of nuclear technology. In fact, according to M16 chief Sir John Sawers, Iranians are about two years away from their goal of having nuclear weapons, and Sawers is waring that Israel and the US may have to consider launching a military attack.
Iran has been preparing for that eventuality, stepping up its missile program and showcasing its new military tech at its most recent war games. Iran's Revolutionary Guard led the games in the country's central desert, launching a number of new and effective missiles. Showcased at the games were ground-to-ground missiles, ballistic missiles and a new launching system capable of firing multiple missiles within seconds. Iranian media sources reported that these new and improved technologies would make it difficult for the US and Israel to shoot down incoming missiles in the event of a war.
Iran's variant of the Shahab-3 missile is, perhaps, its most frightening weapon. Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the Shahab-3 variant has a 1,200 mile range, making Israel and US bases in southern Europe easy targets.
"Within 10 minutes," claimed an irannuc.ir report, "a considerable number of missles were fired at a single target. The achievement, called high firing density, makes it impossible for anti-missile systems to intercept and destroy them. In the end, the target is definitely hit."
Iranian lawmaker and former Revolutionary guard member, Ismaeil Kowsari, said, "These achievements send clear signals to the West that Iran is a formidable force, making enemies think twice before making any decision to attack us."
The west has hoped that sanctions could restrain Iran's nuclear ambitions, but such measures have been woefully inadequate. To get a sense of how global markets elude blockades and sanctions to guarantee the flow of goods and services, consider the case of Apple products. Despite international embargoes prohibiting the sale of Apple and other US computer products in Iran, Apple stores have been growing and expanding at a rapid rate in Tehran. The owner of RadanMac, one of Tehran's many Apple stores, said, "Business has been booming for the last three years."
It's no secret what this says about the efficacy of sanctions: "Iran's booming Apple business underscores the limitations of economic sanctions by the United States and other countries," Reuters reporter Marcus George recently wrote.
Next: Iran tempts South Korea
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