Tehran, YJC. Former war minister says was it not for developments in the country’s missile power, Western powers would not have considered holding negotiations with Iran.
Member of the Expedience Discernment Council Mohsen Rezaee,
who used to serve as war minister during the Iraq-Iran war, in interview with
Tasnim news agency’s defense service provided details on how Iran started to
grow from a technically and industrially independent country to one that is
capable of making advanced missiles.
"Our artillery used to have a very short range. They would
bombard our major cities but we were able only to strike their towns which were
situated by the border,” he said.
Rezaee added "It was then that we decided to become
independent. But it was a tough job. During the Shah, nothing of the missile
technology had been given to Iran.”
We decided to do two things at the same time. First to send
Mr. Rafiqdoust to Gaddafi to bring in the missiles and to talk to Syria to send
Hassan there to be trained while the two countries would not find out what we
were doing, Rezaee said.
He added "Gaddafi agreed to send us missiles in pieces and in
a number of times.”
"We made the launch pads operational and hit Baghdad. Iraq would
suspect the USSR of helping us, which the country swiftly denied. And the fact
is that it was right. Not a single Russian had set foot on our soil because
they all used to support Saddam.”
Rezaee stated "Let me tell you one thing; we entered the war
with light weapons, and came out with missiles and tanks.”
Iran has now become the regional power in missile
capability, he said, adding "What brought the 5+1 to their senses was Iran's missile
power. If it were not for Iran's missile technology, they would not have even
considered talking to us. Our missile power brought them to the negotiations
table.”