IRGC Increases Targeting Precision of Zelzal Rockets

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari announced on Sunday that Iran has increased the targeting precision of its Zelzal rockets.

Speaking to reporters in a press conference here in Tehran on Sunday, Major General Jafari elaborated on the latest achievements of the IRGC in missile technology, and said that his forces have narrowed the margin of error of the Zelzal rockets. 

"These rockets which have been produced around 15 to 20 years ago can fly a range of approximately 300km. These rockets did not enjoy proper precision in targeting, but after a recent project, their precision has been increased and their margin of error has been lowered to less than 50 meters," the IRGC commander explained. 

The Iranian defense ministry has made great achievements in designing and producing missiles, including the surface-to-surface solid-fuel Sejjil missiles, the long-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile which has a range of up to 2,000 km, and ground-to-ground Zelzal and Fateh missiles. 

Iran has been pushing an arms development program in recent years in a bid to reach self-sufficiency. Tehran launched its arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own jet fighters and armored vehicles as well as radar-avoiding missiles and other high-tech weapons. 

Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.