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WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI)
The Arabian Sea is about to get more crowded: On Tuesday, Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Imani announced that the country has begun production of its first indigenously built submarine, adding that "the enemy would not be able to detect the submarine." One submarine has been built and is undergoing sea trials. The submarine class has been named "Ghadir" after a holy Shiite site in the Arabian Peninsula. Iranian television reported that the submarine carries both missiles and torpedoes. In December 2004 Iran announced that it had begun production of a line of stealth torpedoes capable of launch from helicopters, ships or submarines. Iran already mass produces the Shahab-3 missile, with a reported range of nearly 1,000 miles; since 1992 Iran has also produced tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter aircraft.
Iran's newfound naval muscle will soon have a fleet of tankers to protect, as the National Iranian Oil Tanker Company has ordered 14 oil tankers' worth from China and Korea. The tankers...