Iran deploys Tareq Russian-made sub in Persian GulfSeptember 18, 2012 - 19:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran returned a Russian-built Project 877 class (NATO Kilo) diesel-electric submarine to the waters of the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, September 18 following a refit, RIA Novosti reported citing IRNA news agency. The refitted boat, the Tareq, was relaunched at the port of Bandar Abbas. Iran has three Project 877 boats bought from Russia in the 1990s. "Iranian engineers have repaired the boat's radars, pneumatic and compressor systems, pumps, engines, telecommunications and other systems," Vice Admiral Abbas Zamini, who oversaw the refit, told Iranian TV. Iran had to conduct the refit itself after the manufacturer nation declined to carry out the work, he said. Iran also lauched a new indigenously-designed frigate, the Sahand, at Bandar Abbas on Tuesday, IRNA reported. The vessel launches come at a time of increased tension in the region, with the United States and other western powers deploying large numbers of naval vessels to the region and Israeli politicians making increasingly strident warnings over Iran's nuclear program. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said world powers must set a deadline for stopping Iran's nuclear program or accept Israel had a right to strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is purely peaceful and is not a covert weapons project. It has threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz at the end of the Persian Gulf in response to any attack from outside. The straits are the export route for around 25 percent of the world's crude oil. Naval experts contacted by RIA Novosti last year said Iran's Kilo class submarines would be a major worry for western navies trying to counter them, as they are hard to detect and can deploy mines and torpedos. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |