A classified report by the US Department of Defense says that Iranian regime is increasing its military capabilities, exercises and buildup of weapons in and near the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg News reports.
According to the report that had been provided to lawmakers in Washington, the Iranian regime “has adjusted some of its tactics” to achieve core objectives such as preserving the rule of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“Tehran’s strategic messaging about its military capabilities through the mass media has been less strident since (Hassan) Rouhani took over,” the report says.
The leaked report also suggests that Iranian regime is “quietly fielding” increasing numbers of anti-ship ballistic missiles, “small but capable” submarines, coastal missile batteries and attack craft and is conducting major exercises out of view of the media.
According to Bloomberg News, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel wrote in his cover letter transmitting the classified report that it contains analysis of Iran’s conventional, unconventional and nuclear weapons capabilities “and intelligence gaps the Department currently has” with Iran.
