Bubbleheads and Vital Perspective both note that an earlier story about how Iran had test fired a sub launched surface missile appears to have been a hoax perpetrated by the Iranians. Intel experts claim that the missile launch was identical to one conducted by the Chinese some time back, and that they basically scammed those covering the story.
US officials have been unable to verify if an Iranian test firing ever took place.
Bubblehead also notes that the US Navy has an institutional rationale for not outright denying that the Iranians launched such a missile; namely that by maintaining the persistent threat, that the Navy can argue for more funds from Congress for various programs, including littoral water combat vessels, new and additional submarine resources, and weapons systems. That said, there is good reason to worry about Iran's militarization of the Persian Gulf and their threats against shipping.
My earlier coverage of this story is here.
Technorati: iran, submarine, missile, anti-ship.
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