Missile Defenses Rapidly Increase in Persian Gulf

The Obama administration has placed antimissile systems in at least four countries and implemented new defense missile systems against possible Iranian missile attacks. Recently, President Barack Obama has attempted to negotiate with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, but has been primarily unsuccessfully.

According to The New York Times article, “U.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf,” from Jan. 30, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps control a convert nuclear arms program. Obama briefly discussed the shift during his State of the Union address warning Iranians of consequences if they continued to produce nuclear fuel. The United Nations has demanded the Iranians to stop the program, yet no attempts have been made.

According to The New York Times China has made public remarks stating that the United States and United Nations should not place sanctions on Iran. The current U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said on Friday, Jan. 29, that China’s remarks are shortsighted and that they must understand the dilemma the world community is facing. The administration is trying to increase pressure on Iran by deploying antimissile defenses and General David H. Petraeus has made rare public comments describing the strategy.One of the problems facing the United States is pressure from Israel.  Israel feels threatened by Iran because Iran is quickly building the most powerful military force in the Middle East. Israel has the military capabilities to launch airstrikes against Iranian nuclear and missile facilities. The United States is trying to support Israel to prevent an attack against Iran, but through pressure the conflict can be resolved.

The countries that accepted the missile defense systems were Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Saudi Arabia and Israel currently have similar types of defense systems and Kuwait updated their old systems with new ones. Although these countries are publically known, General Petraeus won’t release their names because many do not want be known for accepting American military aid and American troops. The small number of troops is deployed to operate, maintain, and protect the equipment. General Petraeus said, “Iran is clearly seen as a very serious threat by those on the other side of the gulf front” on Jan. 22.

The missiles, capable of shooting down short-range offensive missiles, were first introduced when George W. Bush was in office and are capable of shooting down short-range offensive missiles. General Petraeus said that the United States currently has Aegis cruisers in the Persian Gulf that are equipped with advanced radar systems that are designed to intercept medium-range missiles. Iran has the Shahab 3 which is a long range missile, but experts believe it will be years before they can solve the problems of placing a warhead atop the missile. The Iranian government continues to claim that advances in their nuclear program are for energy purposes rather than nuclear missiles.

According to The New York Times, One high ranking Obama administrator said the administratons “first goal is to deter the Iranians. A second is to reassure the Arab states, so they don’t feel they have to go nuclear themselves. But there is certainly an element of calming the Israelis as well.”

The Israelis will continue to be a goal since they have stated they will take military action unless the United States and Western allies take action in controlling the situation.
Obama’s national security advisor, General James L. Jones, took a trip to Israel this month to review both economic and covert programs now under way against the Iranian program, according to officials familiar with the program. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have bought $15 billion in American arms over the course of the last two years. Saudi Arabia is increasing its military with an additional 30,000 people to help protect the nations ports, oil facilities, and water-desalinization plants with the support of the United States. General Petraeus continues to reassure allies in the Persian Gulf that the United States is committed to helping defend the region against the Iranians.