Iran Deploys New Missile Systems on Strategic Gulf Islands
Iran has installed advanced missile systems on three strategically located islands in the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. The move comes amid heightened tensions with the United States, with Iranian officials asserting that the new systems are capable of striking enemy targets.
The missile systems were deployed on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, islands that Iran has controlled since 1971, though their sovereignty remains disputed with the United Arab Emirates. The announcement follows recent military exercises conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the region.
Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that the new missile systems “can completely destroy any target within 600 kilometers (370 miles).” He emphasized the importance of arming the islands, saying, “We have a tactic that we must arm the island group and make it operative. We are capable of attacking enemy bases, vessels, and assets in the region.”
The deployment coincides with Iran’s preparation to respond to a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, which urged a resumption of nuclear talks and warned of potential military action if Iran refuses to engage.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed U.S. threats, stating on Friday that such actions “will get them nowhere.” He warned, “If they do anything malign to the Iranian nation, they will get a hard slap.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Trump’s letter as “more of a threat” but acknowledged that it appeared to offer opportunities for dialogue. He indicated that Tehran would formally respond “in the coming days.”
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in remarks broadcast on Friday, clarified that Trump’s letter was not intended as a threat but rather as an effort to build trust and prevent armed conflict with Iran.
The deployment of missile systems on the islands is part of Iran’s broader strategy to bolster its defense capabilities in the region. In September, Tangsiri announced that Iran was “expanding” its military presence on the islands, underscoring their strategic importance.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments passes, has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions. Iran’s latest move signals its readiness to defend its interests and assert its influence in the Gulf.
