US Reaction to Unveiling of Missile Systems in Iran: We Will Use All 'Deterrence Tools'

Following the announcement by Iranian officials regarding the unveiling of two air defense systems, 'Azarakhsh' and 'Arman', a spokesperson for the US State Department told Voice of America that the US will use 'all the tools at our disposal for deterrence' against the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The spokesperson stated, 'We are aware of these reports, but we have no specific comments on them. We continue to use all available tools for deterrence and to disrupt all destabilizing and problematic behaviors of Iran in close coordination with our allies and partners.' Amid the ongoing crisis and rising tensions in the region, with reports indicating increased global concerns over Iran's military activities, the Islamic Republic unveiled the missile systems 'Arman' and 'Azarakhsh'. According to the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Ministry of Defense unveiled the ballistic missile system 'Arman' and the air defense system 'Azarakhsh' on Saturday, February 17. The report claimed that Arman is capable of 'simultaneously tracking six targets at a distance of 120 to 180 kilometers', while Azarakhsh can track targets up to 50 kilometers away. This claim comes amid tensions across the Middle East, exacerbated by attacks from Iranian-backed Houthis on commercial vessels, as well as those linked to the United States, Britain, and Israel in the Red Sea, and attacks by Iranian proxy militants in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. Senior officials in the Biden administration, including the Secretary of State, have repeatedly emphasized that Washington is committed to using every tool available to counter the development, production, and proliferation of missiles, drones, and other dangerous weapons from Iran, which includes sanctions, export controls, diplomatic engagement, cooperation with private industries, and prohibitions as necessary and provided for by law. Admiral Brad Cooper, the senior US Navy commander in the Middle East, announced on Thursday, February 15, that Iran's support for Houthi militants in targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea has been 'vital', and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is present in Yemen, working alongside the Houthis, advising them and providing target information. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the United States and its allies in the Middle East are concerned about Iran's growing role in the global arms market. The report noted that this industry's transformation, bolstered by the purchase of thousands of Russian drones that changed the battlefield in Ukraine, has helped Tehran increase its support for its militant allies in Middle Eastern conflicts. According to US officials cited in the report, one of Iran's most significant arms exports is the Shahed suicide drone, which was used to kill three American soldiers in Jordan in an attack by an Iraqi militia group on January 28. The US Defense Intelligence Agency, in a report released this month, stated that models from the same family of drones that killed American soldiers in Jordan have been used on many fronts, including by Houthis in Yemen, Iraqi militants targeting Israel, and by Russia in the war against Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously stated that the development, preparation, and proliferation of missiles and associated technology by the Islamic Republic is 'one of the greatest challenges to international peace and security'. The Secretary of State said, 'We are witnessing the horrific impact of providing these Iranian missiles and drones to terrorist organizations and militia proxy groups, which directly threaten the security of Israel and our partners in the Gulf.' He further emphasized that the United States reiterates its commitment to using every tool available to counter the development, production, and proliferation of missiles, drones, and other dangerous weapons from Iran. According to Blinken, these tools include 'sanctions, export controls, diplomatic engagement, cooperation with private industries, and prohibitions as necessary and provided for by law' and others.