Ch. 11: Global Challenges - Rogue States: North Korea and Iran

Understand the international implications of Iranian presence in the Strait of Hormuz to include the effect on shipping lanes, territorial disputes and U.S. force projection.

Strait of Hormuz blocked off = Bad for US and Allies (also the world)

Describe the Farsi Island incident and the lessons learned from the incident.

• Two United States Navy riverine command boats cruising from Kuwait to Bahrain

• Crew of 9men and 1 woman on board strayed into Iranian waters which extend three NM around Farsi Island in Persian Gulf.

• IRGC Navy seized the craft and detained the crew at a military base on Farsi Island for 15 hours.

Comprehend North Korea’s current national strategy, including development of its nuclear weapons program.

• dramatically hastened pace of nuclear weapon development

• NK leaders view nuclear arms as critical to regime survival

• continues efforts to mitigate the effects of U.S.-led pressure campaign

Understand North Korea’s general military posture.

• conventional capabilities continue to pose threat to SK, Japan, and U.S. forces in region

• pursue advanced conventional weapon programs and capabilities, including more accurate artillery and ballistic missile strike capabilities and UAVs

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 1968 January

• NK captures USS Pueblo, an unarmed USN intel vessel in international waters

• hold 83-man crew hostage for 11 torturous months and still maintain possession of the ship

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 1969 April

• North Korean Mig-21 fighters shoot down a U.S. Navy recon aircraft over the Sea of Japan as it flew a regular surveillance mission

• All 31 sailors died

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2006 July

North Korea test fires seven missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, which crashes shortly after take-off despite it reportedly having the capability to hit the US.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2006 October

• North Korea conducts its first nuclear weapons test at an underground facility.

• UN imposes sanctions on NK

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2009 April

• NK launches long-range rocket, carrying comms satellite

• neighbors accuse it of testing long-range missile tech

• UN prompts NK to walk out of six-party talks and restart nuclear facilities

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2009 May

North Korea carries out its second underground nuclear test. UN Security Council condemns move in June.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2012 October

North Korea claims it has missiles than can hit the US mainland after South Korea and Washington announce a deal to extend the range of South Korea's ballistic missiles.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2013 February

UN approves fresh sanctions after North Korea stages its third nuclear test, said to be more powerful than the 2009 test.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2014 March

North Korea test-fires two medium-range Rodong ballistic missiles for the first time since 2009, in violation of UN resolutions.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2017 July

Pyongyang test fires a long-range missile into the Sea of Japan, with some experts stating the missile could potentially reach Alaska.

Know notable and recent North Korean military events: 2022

A total of 69 launches from 13 different types of missiles were executed in 2022 , surpassing a previous high of 26 total launches in 2019.

Comprehend Iran’s current national strategy, including its use of proxy groups.

• problematic relations with international community

• regional ambitions and improved military capabilities threaten U.S. interests in future

• need for major economic reforms and unmet expectations in the eyes of most Iranians

• discourages foreign investment and trade

• Iran’s first proxy group was Hezbollah, a militia founded in the early 1980s

Understand Iran’s general military capabilities, including its Naval command structure

• continues to pursue permanent military bases and economic deals in Syria and wants to maintain network of Shia foreign fighters

• continues to provide support that enables Houthi attacks against shipping

• Increased harassment of U.S. and allied warships and merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman is a consistent concern.

• largest ballistic missile force in Middle East

• Two Navies that are distinct organizations with independent strategies, doctrines, and missions

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) emphasizes asymmetric doctrine to ensure national security in Persian Gulf

• Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) employs more conventional doctrine and focuses on forward presence and naval diplomacy

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2008 January

5 Iranian patrol boats crewed by Revolutionary Guard approach 3 USN warships

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2009 September

• Iran admits that it is building a uranium enrichment plant near Qom, but insists it is for peaceful purposes.

• The country test-fires a series of medium- and longer-range missiles that put Israel and US bases in the Gulf within potential striking range.

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2011 December - Present Day

• Strait of Hormuz dispute is ongoing btwn coalition of countries and Iran

• Arose when Iranian VP threatened to close Strait of Hormuz

• Iran said it will block any shipping if barred from using strategic waterway

• Number of naval drills and missile tests carried out by Iran

• Coalition of countries responded by sending flotilla of warships to deter any Iranian attempt to close the Strait

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2015 July

After years of negotiations, world powers reach deal with Iran on limiting Iranian nuclear activity in return for lifting of international economic sanctions.

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2016 January

• Two USN riverine command boats cruising from Kuwait to Bahrain strayed into Iranian territorial waters which extend 3 NM around Farsi Island in Persian Golf

• Patrol craft of IRGC Navy seized craft and detained crew for 15 hours

Know notable and recent incidents involving Iran’s military: 2019 June

• Iran’s AD shot down US RQ-4A Global Hawk BAMS-D operating in international airspace

• A nearby P-8 within range of missile systems recorded the incident

Understand Iran's interactions with national states in the region to include Syria, Iraq, and Israel.

• Iran supports Shia militias in Iraq

• Iran’s efforts to consolidate its influence in Syria and arm Hezbollah

• Iran seeks to avoid major armed conflict with Israel

Understand the threats to US military forces and allies from Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, including the threat of mining, FAC/FIAC, and missiles.

• Strait of Hormuz is one of most critical chokepoints in the world

• If Iran chokes off Strait, US would experience major economic losses

• Iran could deploy mines from submarines that would be stealthier and harder for the U.S. to detect

Describe Iran's military modernization plans for both IRGCN and IRIN.

• both navies have engaged in dynamic acquisition programs

• IRGCN has continued to pursue smaller, faster platforms suited for asymmetric doctrine

• IRIN has undertaken a major recapitalization program to replace aging surface fleet and augment its submarine force

• acquisition of air-launched cruise missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles