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Iran Expands Military Tentacles, State Department Advisor Says

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Brian Hook, special representative for Iran and senior policy advisor to the secretary of state, provided evidence of Iran's violation of U.N. resolutions against weapons proliferation during a news conference at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.

Pieces of missile displayed
Iranian Weapons
Remains of Fadjr rockets Iran provided to the Taliban are seen at the Iranian Materiel Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Nov. 29, 2018.
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 181129-D-BN624-0038
Tiny broken aircraft displayed
Iranian Weapons
Remains of a Shaheh-123 unmanned aerial vehicle are part of the Iranian Materiel Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. The Defense Department established the Iranian Materiel Display in December 2017 to present evidence that Iran is arming dangerous groups with advanced weapons, spreading instability and conflict in the region. The IMD contains materiel associated with Iranian proliferation into Yemen, Afghanistan and Bahrain.
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 181126-D-BN624-0001

Iran has the largest ballistic force in the region, Hook said, with 10 ballistic missile systems in its inventory or under development. Missile development and testing has increased in recent years, he added.

Guns displayed
Iranian Weapons
Iranian assault rifles are seen at the Iranian Materiel Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Nov. 29, 2018.
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 181129-D-BN624-0019

Last year, Iran launched a medium-range missile believed to be the Khorramshahr, he said. It can carry a payload of more than a half ton and could be used to carry nuclear warheads. Its suspected range is 1,200 miles, which puts Europe in range.

The U.S. is unveiling new evidence of Iran’s ongoing missile proliferation throughout the region, he said, standing in a hangar near a variety of seized Iranian weapons in a display he said is much larger than it was a year ago.

Pieces of missile displayed
Weapons on Display
Remains of Iranian Qjam ballistic missiles and guidance components are part of the Iranian Materiel Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. The Defense Department established the Iranian Materiel Display in December 2017 to present evidence that Iran is arming dangerous groups with advanced weapons, spreading instability and conflict in the region. The IMD contains materiel associated with Iranian proliferation into Yemen, Afghanistan and Bahrain.
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 181126-D-BN624-0005
Pieces of missile displayed
Iranian Weapons
Remains of an Iranian Qiam ballistic missile are seen at the Iranian Materiel Display at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Nov. 29, 2018.
Photo By: Lisa Ferdinando
VIRIN: 181129-D-BN624-0176

Those weapons are being exported to proxy rebels in a number of countries including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain and Yemen, he said.

In response, the U.S. is ramping up diplomatic efforts and is strengthening economic sanctions against Iran, he said. The U.S. military also is working to build capacity and capability with militaries in the region.

 

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