Chapter 588: Shift of Attention
Just when the eyes of the whole world were attracted by China and focused on Nanyang.
A major event broke out in the Middle East, attracting the attention of countries around the world.
New changes have occurred on the battlefield between Iran and Iraq, which is very likely to change the direction of the Iran-Iraq War.
The periphery of Khomeini Port has been besieged by an armored division and an infantry division of the Iraqi army for a long time.
This armored division and infantry division have not fought a decent battle for two years, just besieging Khomeini Port.
But this armored division and infantry division are unable to capture Khomeini Port, because the Persians have stockpiled three divisions of guard forces in Khomeini Port.
Khomeini Port is located southwest of a small island in the Musabbar Bay in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, about 80 kilometers away from Abadan Port in a straight line, and about 62 kilometers away from Masur Oil Port. It is a large commercial port in western Persia, and it is in a corner with Abadan Port, watching each other.
Although they were surrounded by an armored division and an infantry division of the Iraqi army, blocking the land passage, the besieged defenders could also get supplies from the rear because all the sea routes were open.
In this way, in fact, Khomeini Port is the same as Abadan, and the result is the same whether it is surrounded or not.
On the other side of Khomeini Port, several Persian warships with large displacement were transferred to the eastern port, and the others stayed in the port normally, not taking the Iraqi army seriously at all. If the Iraqi army was not far away, they really wanted to bombard them with naval guns.
In terms of the army, Persia is at a disadvantage. But Persia's air force and navy are at an upper hand.
All countries have a tacit understanding and did not sell advanced aircraft and warships to Iraq.
As for warships, the major naval powers themselves are not very willing to sell them, and even their allies will not sell advanced warships. Those who will sell warships are all retired or retired warships, and they are all sold at high prices.
As for aircraft, in the international arms market, both the Soviet Union and the United States sell advanced aircraft.
However, the Soviet Union and the United States have a tacit understanding and have not sold advanced third-generation aircraft to Iraq or Persia.
Saddam's ambition, as the whole world knows now, is to defeat Persia through the Iran-Iraq War and gain hegemony in the Gulf region. Once Saddam succeeds, Iraq's strength will expand rapidly. Saddam is not an easy person to deal with, so neither the Soviet Union nor the United States wants to see Saddam become the hegemon of the Gulf region.
What Iraq can buy from the international market are French F-1 fighters and Super Etendard attack aircraft, China's J-7 and J-8, Soviet MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, Su-15, Su-17, and American F-4 and F-5 fighters.
Similarly, Persia is in the same situation.
Since the outbreak of the "Persian Gate", the situation in the United States has become delicate.
Persia can obtain F-14 fighters and parts through the middleman Dongda, and even the oil exported to the United States and Europe must go through the middleman Dongda.
Although it is inevitable to pay high intermediary fees, Persia has no choice.
As for the Persian warships, they are all the legacy left by the Pahlavi dynasty. The Persian navy is much stronger than the Iraqi navy.
No matter how Iraq is, the coastline is so short that the navy is not taken seriously at all.
Although the Persian navy is stronger than Iraq, the Persian navy has not made much progress during the entire Iran-Iraq War. Khomeini still believes in the power of the army.
The Persian defenders of Khomeini Port have long been prepared to die in battle. Their strategy is very simple, that is, to defend Khomeini Port and never go to war! Use the favorable terrain to deal a heavy blow to the Iraqis.
The defenders of Khomeini Port received assistance from the sea and built the entire port city into a city that can bring death to the other side.
The warships in the port were not afraid of the Iraqi army on the opposite side. They were still stationed normally and provided fire support in the counterattack.
Rashid took a telescope and saw the Persian warships with a sneer.
In the past few years, Rashid has made great military achievements and has been promoted continuously. Now he can be said to have become Saddam's confidant.
After checking the time, Rashid's sneer became even more intense.
At the same time, an air force base in Iraq was very busy at this time.
This air force base is very close to the front line, but it is very safe because there is an air defense missile base here, which is enough to prevent the Persian planes from attacking.
At this time, two Mirage F-1s, two Super Etendard aircraft, two J-7s, one J-8, and two MiG-23s were making final preparations before departure. In addition to the two combat missiles on the wingtips, the missile under the belly was particularly eye-catching.
If the British saw it, they would have nightmares at night.
If the Americans saw it, they would cry.
'Eagle Strike' anti-ship missiles!
Now the 'Eagle Strike' anti-ship missiles are well-known all over the world. There are more than 20 countries equipped with 'Eagle Strike' anti-ship missiles, which are regarded as a weapon for defending the sea borders by these countries equipped with 'Eagle Strike' anti-ship missiles.
In the past, American warships would enter the territorial waters within 12 nautical miles at any time, but now they will not approach 40 nautical miles.
Gaddafi made the US Navy suffer a lot. The US Navy warships sunk by the "Eagle Strike" anti-ship missiles are enough to make the US Navy pay attention.
The planes began to take off one by one, and after taking off, they quickly climbed to a high altitude, flew over the Arab River, Abadan, and then headed east to Port Khomeini.
At this time, the pilots on the plane were concentrating on driving, following the route and heading directly to the target.
At this time, Gerard had ordered the "Aegis" air defense missiles to turn on the radar and be ready at any time to intercept the Persian planes that might arrive.
In recent years, the Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, "Vanguard" air defense missiles, and "Aegis" air defense missiles have been the nightmare of the air force on the battlefield between Iran and Iraq. I don't know how many planes have been shot down by them.
Now in the Middle East, the reputation of "Vanguard" air defense missiles and "Aegis" air defense missiles has far surpassed the SAM missiles. In the past, the SAM missiles were the most recognized missiles in the Middle East.
Especially the "Aegis" air defense missiles. Since Iraq had the "Aegis" air defense missiles and gave the Persians two blows, the Persian planes have never reached Baghdad again, and Saddam's sleep quality has greatly improved.
On the battlefield, because of the Aegis anti-aircraft missiles, pilots will be more cautious than before, because a careless mistake may result in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of people.
Both the Iraqi Air Force and the Persian Air Force have suffered a lot in this regard.
The loss of an aircraft is very large, far exceeding the loss of a tank and armored vehicle.
More importantly, it is not easy to replenish the lost aircraft.
Unless it is the imported J-6 fighter, it can be imported in large quantities quickly!
Otherwise, it is difficult to import more than 50 other more advanced aircraft a year.