Iran Announces Successful Test of Sub-to-Surface Missile During War Games

Iran test fired a sub-to-surface missile in the Persian Gulf during large-scale military exercises today. A brief video clip showed the long-range missile exiting the water and hitting a target on the water's surface less than a mile away. There is some discrepancy as to the name of the missile, however. AP reports that the missile is called Thaqeb, or Saturn, while UPI reports that it's called Sagheb, or Piercing.

"The army successfully test fired a top speed long-range sub-to-surface missile off the Persian Gulf," the navy commander, Gen. Sajjad Kouchaki, said on state-run television.

The missile is Iran's first sub-fired missile that leaves the water to strike its target. Iran's current arsenal includes several types of torpedoes -- including the "Hoot," Farsi for "whale," which was tested for the first time in April, capable of moving at some 223 mph, up to four times faster than a normal torpedo.

Kouchaki said the sub-fired missile could be fired from any vessel and could escape enemy radar. He said it was built based on domestic know-how, although outside experts say much of the country's missile technology originated from other countries like Russia and China. He did not give the weapon's range and it does not appear capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The test was conducted during Iran's "Blow of Zolfaqar" military exercises, in reference to a sword that belonged to Imam Ali, one of the most revered figures of Islam for Shiite Muslims, which began across the country August 19. A new phase in the war games began in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman Friday.

Comments

[1sttofight]

Is this from the Onion?

[Vital Perspective]

No, this is quite legitimate. Check the links.

[Garduneh Mehr]

FYI,
"Hoot" is not Persian. The Persian for "whale" is "Baal" or "Vaal".
"Thaqeb" is not Persian. The Persian for "Saturn" is "Keyvaan".
The names these filthy Arab-worshipping Mullahs use for their arsenal are in keeping with their own Arab roots (or "TAAZI" as we call them) and are therefore Arabic.

[Vital Perspective]

You may be right. We don't know because we don't speak Persian. If you are, I'd say you're way ahead of the AP and UPI.

[Garduneh Mehr]

By the way hats-off to you guys at "Vital Perspective" as you know I'm a big fan of your well researched and informative blog.
Best
/GM