IRGC to use new generation of long-range missiles: Cmdr.

A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced plans for an overhaul in the elite force’s missile program, saying a new generation of long-range missiles are to replace the current stockpile.

“As of next year, a new and advanced generation of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles will replace the current products,” said Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Division, on Wednesday.

Hajizadeh said missiles in different ranges are ready to be fired at the enemy upon the order of the commander-in-chief of the Iranian Armed Forces, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

“The missiles in various ranges are mounted on the launchers in all bases and ready to be launched,” he said, warning that missiles will be used if “enemies make a mistake.”

The comments by the Iranian general was carried by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in a report which also aired an exclusive footage of a deep underground tunnel packed with missiles and launcher units at an unknown location in Iran.

Hajizadeh said the underground tunnel is just a sample of Iran’s “numerous missile bases,” which he said are scattered across the country at the depths of hundreds of meters.

“Those who pin their hopes on options on the table, should only have a look at the options of the Islamic [Republic’s] forces under the table,” he said.

The release of the footage came against the backdrop of claims in the West that a recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries – Russia, China, France, the UK, the US plus Germany – will dramatically restrict Iran’s missile capability. Some lawmakers in the Iranian parliament had asked the IRGC and other military units to respond to the claims.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly said that its military might poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.