Spokesman: Tehran Studying Photos Showing Saudi Missiles Targeted at Iran

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Araqchi blasted the enemies’ attempts to create tension between Iran and its neighbors, and said Tehran is studying the alleged satellite photos released by a British security consultancy showing Saudi missiles have been aimed at Iran.
“We are evaluating the images, but what is important to us is the question why these photos should be released under such conditions to inspire (people with) the impression that rivalry and tension between the two great countries of the Muslim world is so wide that they have targeted their missiles at each other,” Araqchi said in his weekly press conference in Tehran on Tuesday.

He described the release of such photos as a conspiracy to increase tension in the Persian Gulf region and between two important regional countries under such circumstances that Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani, who has vowed to improve relations with the regional states, specially Saudi Arabia, is due to take power.

“Such actions are suspicious in such an atmosphere and conditions,” Araqchi said.

Stressing that Tehran seeks friendly ties based on mutual respect with Riyadh, he added, “We assume Saudi Arabia as a great and influential country of the Muslim world. We have some differences with that country, specially over the regional issues, and we believe that settlement of these divisions is not certainly possible by missiles as they will be solved through talks.”

The satellite pictures released by IHS Jane’s, the British security consultancy, showed a previously undisclosed surface-to-surface missile base in the middle of the Saudi desert, the Telegraph reported. Analysts say they saw in the images at least two launch pads — one pointing toward Tel Aviv and another toward Tehran.

The base is home to Saudi’s DF-3 missiles which have a range of 1,500-2,500 miles. The missiles carry a two-ton payload, the Telegraph reported.

The base was constructed within the last five years, analysts told the British newspaper.