Analyzing Reports of Recent Iranian Weapons Acquisition from Open Sources

摘要

Since the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988, the massive weapons acquisitionprogram by the Iranian military has been a source of concern for many observers. American and Gulf Cooperation Council leadership in particular seem to see a disturbing vision that requires careful watching. This paper reports and summarizes major Iranian weapon acquisition listed in the open press, then analyzes their potential in regional military and political terms. The author concludes that the greatest potential concern for the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies is the synergy arising from the acquisition of large numbers of surface to surface missiles, an emerging potential to independently use commercial satellite imagery, and Iran's expanding nuclear program.