Report: Iran Building Missile Bases in Venezuela

(Newsroom America) -- Iran is building mid-range missile launch sites in Venezuela, Tehran's key South American ally, according to German newspaper Die Welt.

Quoting sources from the paper, the Jerusalem Post said the launch sites were being built on Venezuela's Paraguana Peninsula, adding that engineers from Khatam al-Anbia, a construction company owned by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, visited the site in February.

The German paper, citing "Western security sources," said Amir al-Hadschisadeh, the head of the Guard’s Air Force, was a member of the visiting team.

The missile sites are being built to withstand air attacks on Venezuela and will serve as command and control stations as well, according to the Post.

The region where the sites are being built are on Venezuela's coast about 120 km east of Colombia, the United States' main South American ally.

The Iranian military involvement in the project extends to bunker, barracks and watch tower construction, the Post said, citing the German report. Missile silos 20 km deep are being planned at the site, the report said, the cost of which is being funded by Iran.

Die Welt said the bases are part of a "clandestine agreement" between Iran and Venezuela that the latter would launch rockets at Iran's enemies if the Islamic republic were attacked.

© 2010 Newsroom America.

Contact Jon E. Dougherty