Iran deploys Russian-made sub in Gulf as U.S., allies hold naval exercises nearby

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a message for the Iranian New Year in Tehran, Iran, March 20, 2012. / AP

(AP) TEHRAN, Iran — Tehran has deployed one of its Russian-made submarines in the Persian Gulf, just days after the United States and more than two dozen allies began naval exercises nearby, Iranian state television reported Tuesday.

The Taregh-1 joined the Iranian fleet in the southern port of Bandar Abbas after it was overhauled earlier this year, according to the TV report. It's one of three Russian Kilo class submarines that Iran obtained in the early 1990s.

In May, Iran redeployed another Russian-made submarine after repairs.

The report also showed the launch of what was said to be the partially completed hull of a destroyer, the Sahand, which the TV said is expected to be ready in the near future.

Both launches came under the command of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters. He said Iran has no intention of invading other countries.

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"The armed forces should be upgraded in a way that no one will be able to violate the reinforced fortress of Iran," Khamenei said during a visit Tuesday to a naval base in northern Iranian port of Noshahr.

Tehran has tried to build a self-sufficient military program since 1992 and has several smaller Iranian-built submarines.

Tuesday's announcement came two days after U.S.-led naval exercises got under way in the waters of the Persian Gulf. They are the largest such maneuvers aimed at countering sea mines ever to take place in the region.

American officials insist the exercises, which include a symposium followed by at-sea maneuvers launching later this week, are defensive in nature and not directed at any particular country.

But the U.S.-led drills are seen as a response to Iranian warnings earlier this year it could close the strategic oil route in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for tighter Western sanctions. Tehran has since stepped back from such threats.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast reacted to the U.S.-led maneuvers by denouncing the presence of foreign powers in the region.

"The root of insecurity in the region is the military presence of Western and foreign powers which easily trample the interests of countries of the region to secure their own interests and provoke instability and insecurity," he said.

The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, a charge Iran denies. Iran says its nuclear activities are aimed at peaceful purposes like power generation and cancer treatment.

[sjc_1]

"Iran says its nuclear activities are aimed at peaceful purposes like power generation and cancer treatment."

I don't believe this for one minute. This is why you sign the treaty and allow regular inspections. If it is peaceful then you should not mind inspectors verifying.

[ex-NAVY]

A fast attack sub is already following it. The Iranian sub will not have a chance.

[MrsHippy]

Iran acts a like a bully 7 year old, knowing full well that in a real challenge it's threats are meaningless. That is precisely why they want to go nuclear. They want to be an 8 year old bully instead of a 7 year old. The United States will take out their entire navy faster than the Ayatollah can yell "RETREAT." I have a message for Iran, "BE VERY AFRAID." Nobody is afraid of your bluff, so you better back down now, and dismantle your nuclear program!

[MrsHippy]

I am neither naive or a fool. A two bomb strike against Japan, while horrific, ended their aggressive posturing and turned them into a productive and peaceful nation for 67 years now. Sometimes, the unthinkable, as horrible as it appears, is the right course of action. Either lose 100,000 people in 1 preemptive action, or face many 100,000's over a long period of time in ground wars and containment like Iraq and Afghanistan. While a nuclear response sounds horrific, it is sure to shock the Iranians and everyone else back to their senses! I'm not saying it would be pretty. But in the long run it would be effective, because despite the political fallout, the rest of the world would pull back from a full-on nuclear engagement with the United States. Self preservation will ensure that!

[UForgotPoland]

Purchased from Russia of coarse as Muslim wouldn't be able to make a paper hat.

[lfitts2]

ZionistCensorship...you left out all the good stuff about the apartheid, aggressive, imperialistic, racist Zionist regime in Israel...how is the weather in Teheran these days??

[tsigili]

That's a dangerous game for Iran to play.

[NB62]

A good time for the US Navy to test their depth charges on the sub

[dman6015]

And if it gets too close to the joint exercises, then the Navy should do what it's always done - blow it out of the water.

[nbcnews]

Bad idea Iran, the Persian gulf is shallow. one anti-sub missile and that Russian sub will hit the bottom faster than a lawn dart.

[john92021]

old Russian diesel subs are more of a threat to their crews than anyone else. If they think this is going to stop the Americans it is like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

[GhostCoyote]

While the old Kilos are difficult to maintain and are, as you say, hazardous in their old age, they do run quieter than nuclear. They have no reactor fuel pumps that have to constantly run. While the Kilos wouldn't be a threat to long term operations or mainland America, they're just dangerous enough to possibly take out a carrier.