Iran Test Fires New Air-to-Surface Missile

Iranian media reports that Iran test fired a new missile that is said to be designed for use by military aircraft aimed at naval targets.

Why would Iran want a missile designed specifically for naval targets? They want to protect their interests in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway between the Sea of Oman and the Gulf. Forty percent of the world's traded oil is shipped through this area. Being that Israel is believed to be the only nuclear-armed Middle Eastern state, and Iran now attempting to power their nation with nuclear energy, this raises a certain level of alarm. A level of alarm that many ponder the idea that Iran is secretly using this as a way to arm their country as a nuclear-armed one. Israel has much to fear in that Iran has been very open with their position on Israel and eliminating it all together. Certainly fears are brought to a closer reality with this new missile. The new Iranian air-to-surface missile has a range of 70 miles (110 km). This type of delivery with a range of this degree, would make it easier to attack threats to their distribution of gas and crude oil. This may be seen as necessary by the Iranian government if the United States was to follow along with its long time support of Israel. And with a top Iranian military commander saying that Iranian missiles are now within reach of Israeli nuclear sites, it raises a significant level of threat within the area. Iran has said before that they could reach Israel before, but never signaling such specific targets.