Pine Gap too far for Iranian missiles

By ERWIN CHLANDA

Pine Gap is far too distant from Iran to be threatened by reprisals it has announced in response to America’s attack on three nuclear facilities.
Richard Tanter, from the University of Melbourne, says the distance is 10,000 kilometres plus and the range of Iranian ballistic missiles is only some 3000 kms.
Professor Tanter also says there is no evidence of planned attacks on the ground by individuals on the secret US-Australian facility (pictured).
However, the base in Alice Springs is doubtlessly involved in the war: “The signal intelligence role at Pine Gap is significant, and at Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire even more so. Both contribute to Israel/US capabilities to locate targets.
“They are one way to find mobile ballistic missile launchers but Overhead Persistent Infrared intel is the threatening part for Iran at the moment. A really important US contribution is Israeli missile defence, especially for longer range Iranian BMs.”
Prof Tanter says in the current debate there is little attention to Israel’s nuclear weapons, possibly the world’s fourth-biggest arsenal.
He says Donald Trump's suggestion for the 10 million people in Tehran to be evacuated is “monstrous” and unachievable.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said today: “Australia has been clear along with the international community that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. We support action to prevent that from occurring.”
Prof Tanter, a frequent visitor to Alice Springs, says Australia should be following Gough Whitlam’s lead of neutrality in 1973 Israel Egyptian war.