155: Chapter 152 Countermeasures

January 10, 1982, Tehran.

The Supreme Leader of Iran was reviewing a report on the Iraqi Cruise missile attacks.

Fifteen Cruise missiles hit their targets.

Iran's oil fields were destroyed, Iran's ports were destroyed, and Iran's military facilities were destroyed.

The losses were significant.

"This is a major blow," the Supreme Leader said to Reza.

"Yes," Reza said, "but this is also an opportunity."

"An opportunity?" The Supreme Leader looked at Reza.

"Yes," Reza said, "Iraq has already revealed their new weapon. Now, Iran knows that Iraq has Cruise missiles. Iran can prepare for this."

"But Iran has already suffered heavy losses," the Supreme Leader said.

"Yes," Reza said, "but Iran can fight back."

"How can we fight back?"

"Using Scud missiles," Reza said, "Iran has Scud missiles. Iran can use Scud missiles to bomb Iraqi cities and facilities."

The Supreme Leader fell silent.

He knew this would escalate the conflict.

But he also knew that Iran could not just sit and wait for death.

"Very well," he finally said, "you may launch a counterattack. But be careful. Do not escalate the conflict too much."

"I will be careful," Reza said.

Ahvaz, Reza's office.

Reza was formulating a counterattack plan.

Iran had twelve Scud missiles.

These missiles were obtained from North Korea and Libya.

Reza decided to use these twelve missiles to bomb Iraqi military targets.

The targets he chose were:

Iraqi airbases, Iraqi military command centers, and Iraqi oil fields.

These targets would deal a major blow to Iraq.

Reza picked up the phone and called the commander responsible for the Scud missiles.

"Prepare the Scud missiles," he said, "we are going to launch a counterattack."

"When!?" the commander asked.

"Tomorrow night," Reza said, "twelve missiles, bombing three Iraqi targets respectively."

"Yes," the commander said.

The call ended.

Reza sat in his office and wrote a line in his notebook:

"Iraq has escalated the conflict. Iraq used Cruise missiles. Now, Iran must also escalate the conflict. Iran must use Scud missiles. This war is turning into a missile war."

Baghdad, Iraqi General Staff.

Saddam Hussein was observing Iran's reaction.

Iran already knew about Iraq's Cruise missiles.

Iran had already begun preparing defenses.

But Saddam Hussein also knew that Iran would launch a counterattack.

Iran had Scud missiles.

Iran would use Scud missiles to bomb Iraq.

"We need to strengthen our air defense systems," the Chief of Staff said.

"Yes," Saddam Hussein said, "but our air defense systems are already very strong."

"But the power of the Scud missiles is significant," the Chief of Staff said, "we need more anti-aircraft missiles."

"We will obtain more anti-aircraft missiles from the Soviet Union," Saddam Hussein said, "but this will take time."

"We do not have time," the Chief of Staff said.

Saddam Hussein fell silent.

He knew the Chief of Staff was right.

Iraq did not have time.

Iran's Scud missiles could be launched at any moment.

January 11, 1982, an Iranian Scud missile base.

Twelve Scud missiles were ready.

They were loaded onto launch vehicles, pointed in the direction of Iraq.

The commander looked at the missiles, then glanced at his watch.

8:00 PM.

It was time.

He picked up the radio.

"All positions, ready," he said.

All positions replied simultaneously: "Ready."

"Launch," the commander said.

Twelve Scud missiles lifted off simultaneously.

The skies over Iraq.

Twelve Scud missiles were flying through the air.

Their speed was 1,800 kilometers per hour.

Their targets were Iraqi airbases, Iraqi military command centers, and Iraqi oil fields.

An Iraqi airbase.

The air defense warning system sounded.

"Missile!" a soldier shouted.

Everyone started running.

But it was too late.

A Scud missile hit an aircraft hangar.

Explosion.

Flames rose up.

Another missile hit a fuel depot.

Another explosion.

An Iraqi military command center.

A Scud missile hit the outer wall of the command center.

Explosion.

A part of the building was destroyed.

Iraqi oil fields.

Three Scud missiles hit oil wells.

Explosion.

Flames rose up.

Baghdad, Iraqi General Staff.

Saddam Hussein was listening to the combat report.

Twelve Scud missiles hit Iraqi targets.

Iraqi airbases were destroyed.

Iraqi military command centers were destroyed, and Iraqi oil fields were destroyed.

The losses were significant.

Saddam Hussein's expression was grim.

"Iran has escalated the conflict," the Chief of Staff said.

"Yes," Saddam Hussein said, "now, this is not just an air war; it is a missile war."

"We need more anti-aircraft missiles," the Chief of Staff said.

"We will obtain them from the Soviet Union," Saddam Hussein said, "but we also need to continue the Cruise missile attacks."

"Yes," the Chief of Staff said.

Tehran, the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran.

The Supreme Leader was reviewing the report on Iran's counterattack.

Twelve Scud missiles hit Iraqi targets.

Iraqi airbases were destroyed.

Iraqi military command centers were destroyed, and Iraqi oil fields were destroyed.

This was a major success.

"Very good," the Supreme Leader said to Reza, "you have proven Iran's strength."

"Yes," Reza said, "but this is only the beginning. Iraq will continue to launch Cruise missile attacks. Iran needs to continue to counterattack."

"This will escalate the conflict," the Supreme Leader said.

"Yes," Reza said, "but it is necessary. Iraq needs to know that bombing Iran comes with a price."

The Supreme Leader fell silent.

He knew that Reza was right.

But he also knew that this war could turn into a very long and brutal war.

"Very well!!" he finally said, "you may continue. But be careful. Do not let this war spiral out of control."

"I will be careful," Reza said.

Ahvaz, Reza's office.

Reza was watching the development of the war.

Iran had launched a counterattack.

Iraq already knew of Iran's strength.

Now, this war had entered a new phase.

This was a missile war.

This was a war of attrition.

This was a war of who could hold out longer.

Reza wrote a line in his notebook:

"Iran has changed the nature of this war. Iran is no longer a passive defender; Iran is now an active attacker. Iran has Scud missiles, Iran has anti-aircraft missiles, and Iran has the will. Iran will win this war."

He closed his notebook and glanced at the time.

Thirteen months left.

But now, every day was becoming more critical.