Iran Continues Naval Buildup

Iran expects delivery of its third Russian-made submarine within six months, part of an ongoing naval buildup in the key oil lanes of the Persian Gulf, an Iranian newspaper reported Monday.

Iranian Rear Adm. Mohammad Hossein Shafii, head of navy coordination, also said Iran was building its own destroyer and conducting research on land, sea and air missiles, the Farsi-language Jomhuri Islami daily reported.

Iran acquired its first Kilo-class submarines in 1992, and its second in 1993.

Iran’s 1980-88 war with Iraq wiped out much of its weaponry.