On Iran and More (Call it the "Iran Propaganda Thread" if you wish)

Iran has been showcasing various new armaments developed by the country's arms industry. The most recent is a battle tank which seems to rival the best MBTs in the world. While Iran has been developing battle tanks since the early 1990s, the Karrar tank is by far the most impressive tank Iran has produced.

You can see a video of the Karrar tank and its impressive capabilities below.

https://www.aparat.com/video/video/.../yes/showvideo/yes/videohash/L80Rb?data[as]=1

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/_TP_/arti...battle-tank-rdfnn9sfd?ni-statuscode=acsaz-307
Iran turns its back on Russia and China with own battle tank

The articles below show the opposing propaganda lines on the issue. One is from right wing US media which try to suggest the Karrar is a copy of the Russian T-90 and blames Obama -) for the development of a tank that Iran has been working on for many years and which has nothing to do with the nonsense in the article. Another is from a Russian source, which tries to suggest that while Karrar is impressive, it still is not a match for Russia's T-90.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201703131051535093-iran-tank-karrar/
Despite Striking Resemblance Iran's Newest Tank is no Match to Russia's T-90

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/13/iran-designs-russian-t-90-look-alike/
Iran designs Russian T-90 look-alike
Obama paved the way

 

Iran has also announced that its Qaher 313 stealth fighter plane has begun going into mass production and will start flying soon. If this happens, it will be quite fun to watch the egg on the fact of the various propaganda outfits which tried to ridicule the plane when Iran first showcased a prototype of the Qaher 313 in 2013, calling it a "hoax". Some of those sites are beginning to change their tune a bit, while others are sticking by their guns.

This article by an Israeli affiliated site shows the change in tune that is taking place in many quarters who ridiculed the Qaher 313 when it was first featured.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...et_Enters_Final_Production_Stage#.WMdULFWGPIU
Iran's 'Radar Evading' Qaher 313 Fighter Jet Enters Final Production Stage

But now:

Among those employed to feed America alt-facts when it comes to Iran's military developments, none is as prolific and annoying as Dave Majumdar. He once tried to ridicule Iran's claim that it had commandeered a US stealth UAV to land in Iran, which was ultimately accepted even by the US government. He was also on the forefront of those ridiculing the Qaher 313 and is sticking by his guns.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/th...lth-fighter-might-be-the-ultimate-paper-19719
Why Iran's New Stealth Fighter Might Be the Ultimate Paper Tiger

 

Iran is also developing an anti-missile/anti-aircraft system that it claims will be better than the Russian S-300, called Bavar 373.

This sputnik article shows how it is not just the US/Israel that have issues with Iran's progress. The Russians do not like to see a competitor either.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201703121051505564-iran-bavar-s300-signal/
Iran Compares Its Bavar-373 to Russian-Made S-300 'Sending a Signal to US'

 

In the meantime, to counter Iran's anti-missile systems, the Israelis are buying the F-35 from the US with 2 of the planes already delivered. But even many Israelis realize the plane will ultimately be a waste of money - albeit a waste of US tax payer money that subsidizes and funds Israeli purchases.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/can-new-israel-fighter-jets-take-mideast-stealth-2075407015
Can new Israel fighter jets take Mideast by stealth?
Israel receives its first F-35 stealth fighters on Monday, but some say they may not live up to expectations

Yet, even this guys realizes

Others have likened the F-35 to a 'Swiss army knife"

On this, these folks are beginning to realize what Iran learned a while back, which is why Iran's main focus has been on UAVs, ballistic and cruise missiles and not as much on such expensive systems (even if it does like to invest enough in the area to keep itself technologically up to date).

 

Last year, Iran send a couple of warships to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time, after docking in the South African port in Durban. Without either naval bases or a naval port to visit, however, I am not sure it would be all that useful for Iran to send any warships close to US waters, which is probably why the idea has not been pursued further. In this regard, it is possible that states such as Cuba, which might otherwise might be willing to host a port visit, might feel its not worth the hassle. Especially, since we can't expect the ships to be greeted warmly by the Americans. In contract, for instance to how an Iranian flotilla, including Iran's domestically built Damavand frigate, were greeted by the Russians when they made a a port visit to Russia last week.

Pictures of Iran's Damavand frigate on a port call being greeted recently by the Russians





In the meantime, here are some of ocean faring vessels (both civilian and military) that Iran has launched just over the past year.

Below, Iran's fast attack Catamaran - an ocean going vessel - which can travel at speeds up to 24 knots, carry 100 troops and a helicopter.




Below are pictures of a ocean sailing research vessel Iran launched last month.

 

Iran's Karrar MBT (the part of the video I posted about the Karrar showing it operating in shallow waters was interesting to me)


Pictures of Iran's long range Soumar Cruise missile, which were reportedly tested recently after Trump's warning to Iran

Above, Iran's Stealth UAVs


Iran's Shahed 129 UAV, which has been used in various operations in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Below is a video of a Shahed 129 including showing it hit terrorist targets in Syria (Aleppo)



Above, pictures of some of the anti-ship cruise missiles developed by Iran

Below, pictures of Iran's ballistic missiles which serve an important deterrent function in Iran's national security doctrine

 

Well, according to Jane's, it seems one of the ships, the Bushehr, actually did run into problems and needed emergency repairs, docking in South Africa's Durban harbor along with the Alvand frigate.

http://www.janes.com/article/67069/iranian-navy-flotilla-stuck-in-south-africa

p.s.
Iran actually confirmed subsequently that the Bushehr needed repairs and indicated that those repairs were made by Iranian specialists who were sent to South Africa, with the Bushehr returning home in February.
http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951119000321

 

In the meantime, a private producer in Iran has made an animated film called the "Battle of the Persian Gulf II" depicting a naval battle in which the Iranian navy destroys the US navy. The animation go some press coverage in the west, although I don't know why it would be different than hundreds of films, cartoons, and other such productions in the US of the same genre fighting against this or that enemy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/vide...775d60-f86e-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_video.html
Trailer for the animation

 

This is from last month, when the US wrestling team arrived in Iran.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ith-roses-and-selfies/?utm_term=.369a577b0e67
American wrestlers in Iran welcomed with roses and selfies

And I don't they felt any different about their reception when they left:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/18/...stling-team-jordan-burroughs-kyle-snyder.html
U.S. Wrestlers Find They Have Passionate Fans in Iran

On a side note, Iran beat the US in the final of the wrestling world cup to take its 6th consecutive title.
https://unitedworldwrestling.org/ar...ture-sixth-straight-freestyle-world-cup-title
Iran Beats USA to Capture Sixth Straight Freestyle World Cup Title

 

As the Iranian New Year, Norouz is approaching, I like to introduce folks here to this ancient Iranian holiday that dates to Iran's pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian, heritage, and is still the most significant holiday in Iran. A time when everything (even newspapers) are closed at least for a few days, while most people are on vacation for 2 weeks.

Norouz (literally "new day") starts from the first day of spring (the March equinox) and ends after the 13th day of the month with "Sizdah bedar" ("farewell to 13"). Even before the start of Norouz, however, we have pre-New Year events, the most significant being Chaharshanbe Soori or "Fireworks Wednesday".

The main festivities and traditions surrounding the Iranian New Year, are as follows:

1- Khaneh Tekani: the first sign that Norouz is approaching is "Khaneh Tekani" covered in this article about Norouz in Iran's Press TV:

2- Norouz Shopping: From the same article:

During this time, you will also get to see a figure called "Haji Firuz":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajji_Firuz
Haji Firuz (Persian: هاجی فیروز / حاجی فیروز‎‎ – Hāji Firuz) or Khwaja Piruz (خواجه پیروز – Xwāje Piruz),[1] also spelled Hajji Firuz, is a fictional character in Iranian folklore who appears in the streets by the beginning of Nowruz. His face is covered in soot, and he is clad in bright red clothes and a felt hat. He dances through the streets while singing and playing a tambourine, and is the companion of Amu Nowruz ('Uncle Nowruz').

3- Then comes "Fireworks Wednesday" or Chaharshanbe Soori, described in the earlier Press TV article:

4- Haft Seen Table: Once Fireworks Wednesday is behind us, households begin to set their "Haft Seen" table in anticipation of the March equinox when the New Year (Norouz) is ushered:

5- Norouz - the start of the New Year on the March equinox, where Iranian families get together and sit around the Haft Seen table waiting for the clock to click at the exact moment when the March equinox takes place. At that exact moment, the New Year starts and gifts are exchanged.

6- Travel: It is customary for families (even those of modest means) to travel during the Norouz holiday period. Where traffic leading to various tourist destinations inside the country (many travel outside) will often be jammed with motorists.


7- Sizdah Bedar ("Farewell to 13")

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ahmadinejad-iran-election-1.4066966
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stuns Iran with election bid
Iran's supreme leader has previously said the ex-president's candidacy would be 'harmful' for country