NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 33; IRAN; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
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J
CONTENTS
This General Survey supersedes the one dated No-
vember 1969, copies of which shou:a be destroyed.
A. Location and description I
Data on importance of location, size of country,
and number of people.
1. Topography 1
Brief overview of militarily significant aspects
of landforms, drainage, vegetation, and settle-
ment and transportation patterns.
2. Climate 5
Climatic controls and summary of weather
elements and climatic conditions�tempi�ra-
ture, precipitation, thunderstorms, cloudiness,
visibility, and winds.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Page
B. Military geugrap'We regions 7
Effect of terrain on operations by conventional
ground forces, airmobile and airborne forces, am-
phibious forces, and irregular forces for the fol-
lowing regions:
1. Interior Plaint and Highlands 7
2. Mountain Rimland 9
3. Caspian 'lain 11
4. Southwestern Lowlands 11
C Strategic areas 12
Population figures and discussion of the primary
activities, key transportation elements, nationally
significant industries, am petroleum storage for
the following areas:
I. Tehran I 13
2. Khuzestan 13
Page
D. Internal routes
14
Description of terrain, road and rail characteris-
tics, and off -road dispersal and cross country
Page
movement potentials along land routes to and
Military geographic regions and
between strategic arcas.
Fig. 11
E Approaches
14
Data on lengths, legal status, and terrain of Iran's
terrain map)
land and water boundaries.
Fig. 12
1 Land
14
Approach conditions by road and /or railroad
Plains and hills in central Iran
and the effect of terrain on offroad dispersal
and cross- coun'ry movement.
10
2 Sea
15
Conditions for amphibious approach to the
Fig. 13
coast, and pertinent data for amphibious land-
10
ing area that provides the best access to the
Agricultural area rear Esfahan
strategic areas.
Fig. 14
3 Air
19
Air approach sectors, and discussion of
photo)
weather and critical terrain conditions for
each sector.
12
FIGURES
ii
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Page
Fig. 1
Military geographic regions and
Fig. 11
Monthly climatic data (chart)
8
terrain map)
2
Fig. 12
River valley in the western Zagros
Fig. 2
Plains and hills in central Iran
Mountains photo)
10
photo) I 1.
3
Fig. 13
Terrain north of Shiraz photo)
10
Fig. 3
Agricultural area rear Esfahan
Fig. 14
Strategic areas, internal routes, and
photo)
3
approaches map)
12
Fig. 4
Southeni Zagros Mountains photo)
4
Fig. 15
Tehran photo)
13
Fig. 5
Forested area in Elburz Mountains
Fig. 16
Tehran strategic area map)
14
photo)
5
Fig. 17
Khuzestan strategic area map)
14
Fig. 6
Cultivated valley -.n north photo)
5
Fig. 18
Abadan oil refinery photo)
15
Fig. 7
Caspian plain photo)
6
Fig. 19
Khorramshahr naval base photo)
15
Fig. 8
Ricefield on :he Caspian plain
Fig. 20
Internal routes (table)
16
photo)
6
Fig. 21
Boundaries table)
18
Fig. 9
Plains in the southwest (photo)
7
Fig. 22
Lard approaches (table)
18
Fig. 10
Inundated area in southwestern
Fig. 23
Terrain and transportation
lowlands photo)
7
map) follows
20
ii
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1 7
7
Ri
41
N-1
F AS..
77
5
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Military Geography
A. Location and description (U /OU)
Iran, one of the largest oil- producing countries in
the world, is located in the highlands of southwest Asia
between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. From
the northern border of Iran, it is only about 90
nautical miles to the Caspian seaport of Baku and less
than 1,500 nautical miles to Moscow and many of the
large industrial centers of the Ukraine and southern
Urals. From the southwestern border of Iran, it is less
than 200 nautical miles to the major oilfields of Iraq
and the Persian Gulf, and from the western border, it is
about 1,500 nattical miles to the 'Turkish straits ;aid
the Suez Canal. With the British withdrawal from the
Persian Gulf, Iran is determined to restore its historic
position of supremacy in this oil -rich region.
The country has an area of about 636.000 square
miles, about one -fifth the size of the United States. It
has a northwest- southeast extent of about 1,400
miles, i and an cast -west extent of about 900 miles
(Figure 23, the map at the end of the chapter). The
population of !pan is about 30,805,W0.
1. Topography
Iran consists of rugged hills and mountains that
form if wide rimland nearly enclosing an interior area
of plains, hills, and mountains; discontinuous low
plains along the northern and southern coasts fringe
the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf (Fignrc I
The interior section of the country is a sparsely
populated area of desert pl ins and highlands (Figure
2). The plains are between about 650 and 5,000 feet
above sea level and have flat to gently rolling surfaces.
Intermittent streams carry the small amount of runoff
inland to low -lying areas, where salt lakes are formed;
the lakes vary in size according to the amount of
rainfall. During dry periods, the salt lake beds have a
firm crusty surface underlain by miry soil. Some dunes
and unstable sand are located in many parts of the
plains. For the most part, the plains are barren; some
'Distances are in statute miles unless nautical miles are
specifically indicated.
desert scrub and tufts of grass can be found iu areas in
the north and southeast, usually adjacent to the
highlands; grass, trees, and crops are common only in
the northwest (Figure 3). Some crops are also grown
around settlements that have irrigation far-ilities in the
southeast. The interior highlands rise abruptly from
the plains and have steep rocky slopes and rugged
crests which stand 2.500 to 11 1 000 feet above the
surrounding lowlands. Broadleaf deciduous forests,
desert scrub, or tufts of grass cover most slopes, hilt
sortie slopes are barren. In parts of the northwest and
southeast, grass and crops are en the lower slopes of
the mountains. The growing season is generally
between April and October. The few scattered rural
settlements in the interior plains and highlands are
located along the periphery and are usually com-
posed of one -story mudbrick buildings. They are
interconnected by it few earth and gravel roads. In
urban centers, some he;,ciings have hyo or three stories
and courtyards.
The mountain rimland, which comprises about one
half of Iran, is composed of high rugged mountains,
narrow valleys, and it few areas of plains (Figuro -I).
The mountain crests -3;500 to 13,000 feet above
adjacent valley bottons �arc usuall' at least 6,000
fee' above sea level, and reach over 18,000 feet in the
1?Iburz Me in the northwest. In the few hill
areas, irregular to round:d crests are between 1,000 to
1,600 feet above the adjacent lowlands. Extensive
deciduous broadleaf forests cover the northern part of
the Zagros Mountains and the northward facing
slopes of the Elburz Mountains Figure 5); other slopes
are either barren or have small areas of forest, brush,
grass, or crops. Some fairy extensive grass ',ands are in
the Zagros Mountains. Included in the mountain
rimland are small areas of plains, mostly scattered
throughout the mountains of the east, that have flat to
dissected surfaces; some of these plains have small
areas of unstable sand or sicep -sided dunes. Desert
scrub and tifts of grass cover most parts of these
plains, hilt some forests, brush, or crops can occur. The
growing season is generally from April to October. In
the north and west, a few deeply incised perennial
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V
l'tiH
I
Y
C `SPIAN PLAIN
1 1
I1 50 1W 159 2A) Strfufe miles
f
0 SO ILIO 15J 100 Kilometers
I 4
M1
i
IRAQ
V
A ND
I r
Rol" r P -a
Ga volt
h �4?;+1'a b�; `I' P: \hh'I'AV
'd ?din ).r n,, �.,vi d I T �R
rr ,r r t Ir J Qeqdr. IF ..i���
7389 S r. ss`\s Ige!h n r f .:,r v.,. ir.
sv
3r,
h111df r.,:hl r.;I nl:u "d rl� ill lrl 11i VItl
l:\'I':Vt 1'X1'1'1�:1) ;l 1
Srlfl it S.Ind 1 4 ar,h
tEHKNN
AFGHANISTAN
t. l 4
Eja
Ar
r Ban ,p, =s:,
FIGURE 1. Military geographic regions and terrain (C)
2
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PROFILE
SOUTHWESTERN
MOUNTAIN INTERIOR PLAINS
MOUNTAIN CASPIAN
LOWLANDS
RIMLAND AND HIGHLANDS
RIMLAND PLAIN
fael
Meter.
1 SnOfl
I
I
151III
1 :Itrlq
I I
I i
I
;r,Pli
I
Bandar p
I
I I
l Iltl11
shahpul
I
lbnrl
;0!10
I
I
I
Sea level
i
dull
A i
B
0 SO bq 911
17f1 lill 18f1 710 7.10 /0 iitil sill
i60 i' III �1,11 J`' J80
Stdlufe rtulr�5
App iximdte vl'rtu dl rdy!,;rrdinm .ill
tEHKNN
AFGHANISTAN
t. l 4
Eja
Ar
r Ban ,p, =s:,
FIGURE 1. Military geographic regions and terrain (C)
2
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FIGURE 2. Flat desert plains separated',;
by dissected highlands compose most %Bab f
I
MQ
e(
of central Iran iU, r U)
jig 1
v
streams flow in narrow, haviisivel% cultivated valle%s
(Figure 6). Numerous steep harked intermittent
streams drain into the perennial streams during the
period front early December to :%;)ril. Most to%%us and
transportation facilities of the nto rintland are
located in the north and %vest. Buildings are vsuall%
one story, anti c�oustructed of nuulbric�k, brick. or
ntasonr%. with courhards: some buildings in larger
cities have� two or three stories. The few stain roads are
bihtntinotis or gr- .t%el. and the narrow connecting
roads are earth or gravel.
A nctrro%% flat plain edges the co-0 of the Caspian
Sea and extends along the Rufl -e Gorgan" into the
U.S.S.R. VegOation consists of shrubs. sparse grass,
crops. .end. adjacent to watercourses, it few trees
Figures 7 and ail. There are sevvral perennial streams.
"Fur diacritics on plaer names we the list of natne% e:o 0w apron
of the Terrain and Transportation map. the map itself. and the
maps in the t(-%t.
FIGURE 3. Cultivated areas in central
Iran are small and in the vicinity
of towns, such as this area near
Esfahan (U /OU)
w
most of %%hich have lo%% banks. and goat% %neall
%h allos% irrigation flitches. Flooding occur% sporad-
ically during April, Ice%, September. and October.
Several Honor fishing ports and trading center% .long
the Caspian coast are interconnected h% it surfaced
road that roughly parallels tltc c�oce%t curd connected
%%ith the scattered rural villages I% it sparse neh% k of
tttostl% earth or gravel rocefls. Buildings an generall%
one star% and are built of nuidbrick !kick, or inasonr%
in the smell urb�ot centers and nitidbrick or wood and
grass in the tare! ,erects.
The Khuzestan plains in the southwest are an
extension of the� eastern part of the 'I Euphrates
basin of southeastern Iray. The plains are flat to
rolling ant) are covered h% small areas of loose sand.
cultivated crops, and desert grass Figure 9). Se%:�ral
large perennial stream- dissect the plains and flow
southward into the I'ersian Gulf. I.ow areas are
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s A
�,a ''1... I\ -Y1- :S i'
Q 1' 1 q
NN, 1%
1-.o. to 4
or
A i -4 Aft,`� `sr Y A.
y
X to
FIGURE 4. In the southern Zagros Mountains, ridge crests are barren
rock, but lower slopes are covered by shrubs end grass (U OU)
mmitI.,I,'ll it mm Ir11nl I .1 M.,ri ll Ili tllll_II \1.l\
flu in,lnll:'` LIr,I' im,r 1- .Irlll .It- I' "I 1,111
t. t .1 f /'1'1 1. 111111 1-', VIII' 11 \1'1 11'.11 11,'` 111
0 rl'am lull ,1 ,1 1 1, 'II 1.111 111.1 .t 11L;IIto III I.r.11t1
11.11111` 1 1 11'.1 ,fill 111-', 1n .or '1 11 111 .11- 1 111 t1'
till' 1111 ,1, ,11'I 11.11 1111'1 t 1
1.1 dw 111.II.Ir 1.11111111 ..I II ,I, Ito II III II11` 11,'.1
.tlld .11, 11111 f1' 1 t,'ll \\Itll .11111
1.1111'111-` t�\ \.'I,t .Ilu1 \1';!r�111i1'1 1111.1-1111 It IJlfl\
\`11 111 1,0 111111114 i1` .11111 1-11
111.111` .Intl `1'1,'1.11 1.111111.111` 1- Ilit I.111- 11111.111
1-1 \1 11111 1111 .111' 1 fill\ Ilin`t l 11l'tl'll 111
111 11111' 111 111. 1`1 r\ lit 1 11.1 \1' 11 ft \.I rll` .I
I,' 11111111111 L'` It,, 1\\.1 111 Ilm 1' `111111-`
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2. Climate
Must of Iran has an arid or semiarid climate %%ill,
marked seasonal mtremes of temperature Figure I 1
Winter, (December lhnugh Februant are charac-
terizvd I,% it %arict )f con f Ix (�hanging etir nt;IS,es
a %%ith I)a-ing ntit;rator\ log%, it t(I frontal
lent Sit nlnu�r, Ounc tIIrr,ugh :1ugu,l l Irc
rIorlotonon,l\ tut n,. (In. it "d hot almost m there.
TOp tgraphic�al fealurc, ,trotiglx influ(.n(e all ashccls
of th(. c�lintate. cawing variation ac�cordittg to loc;ttion.
11'intcr temperatur are c�oI(] lhrortt;hnttt ntuc h of
the northern and central n�gion, of the I. Mean
%tail\ nla\inrttnts reach the ulrlx�r :iO's t �F. to the�S(1',.
hilt the temIx cool snhstantiall\ to nI (.an
ntinirmmil, in the teens to the� middle W's; nighttirru�
frosts arc (�OIlimoll. ,\I the highest cic\�ations�
tvi,iper,tlurc, n,ualk remain helrnc freezing all \%inter
and "Moil� nlinintunl, register \cell belmv zero. In the
outlt. Oic daily temperal(tn� fit
\%intc�r \%arm to nut\intturt, in tit(. (ill. and TO and
cool (o ntinintunt, in the I11'. and 50',. 'I'll( inh�u,e
heal of slimmer. in conlra,t. makes Ir:ot one of lltc�
I"It -4 c�ountrie, in the %%orld during tlti', sea,on. 'I'llc�
afternoon ln�al i, acct,( inlen,e ou Ibe Khmze 1,1;cin.
al tllc� Itc�ad of the I'er,ian Gulf. bore dad\ ma\itunnr
terlll,ercttltre, c�\c�c� d I I11 �1 throughout rrrc�( of th(.
mitmer. :kiternoon lemperatmes reat�lt altm x)0
alnut,l daily i;I the r of tltc� c:mntr\ (-wept aLrttg the
Casttiart S(.a and at the Iligltc�,l (.Ie\;tl s. Suutn(c�r
night, arc %rrn \%ann in the ctutII hill arc� ruure
conl(orlahle el (...her(.. 'flu nut,t Immid parts nl Inm
arc the co;r r(.gions alum the (:a,l,iun Se:I and Cull
of Omarl. 'flit area, arc (.sI,(.ciall nneontforlahle
during limner. hell (If(. high teutl,erature, :Ind
httntidil\ create it \erg oltlr(. �ire c�unditiun. 1 i III(.
interior, re lati\(. IllI'llldit.x i ntuderatel\ high during
\cinter but i, er\ h rnI mmmer aftenut:ut,
,Mole%% hat Iniligatiu>; the effect, of the int(.u,e heal.
(:o sidemI de 1,rec�i Ili lali)if fall, un I)..Irt, of the
(:a ,Iri:Iif Iiltord and :uljac(.nt mountain ,lot(.,.
I )it licularl\ in the \%v -ctioi here im%m
10
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FIGURE 5. Dense forests cover the northward- facing
slopes of the Elburz Mo:mtains (U /OU)
FIGURE b. Cultivated valley in the northwest (C)
on
FIGURE 7. Forests and crops are intermixed on the coastal lowland
bordering the Caspian Sea. Water for the cultivated fields comes
from streams and irrigation canals. (U /0U)
FIGURE 8. Ricefield and elevated
storage building on the Caspian
coastal plain (U OU)
If,
r"
'a
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FIGURE 9. Khuzestan plains of the southwest, showing a
sparse cover of salt tolerant desert grass (U /OU)
slopes and passes. Thunderstorms are infn�yuent all
year ill most sections; the aura of greatest activity is in
nortitwestent Iran in April through June, when
thunderstorms c�an occur on to 4 days per month.
The seasonal patterns of cloudiness arc sirnil:cr to those
of precipitation. Winter and most of spring are the
cloudiest periods in most sections; autumn is also cluite
cloudy on the Caspian littoral. M ean rnontlIv
elo(tdinc�ss daring Illesv periods ranges hc(weeu about
-10''(' and 8W'i in the north to between about W,' and
50 "1 in OW south. Sttrnners are almost cloudless
everv\%here and the sun sI,iues inte(tsely l o ?r weeks at it
line. The exc�eptiort is along the easlent portions of the
Gulf of (hnan, wherc weak monsoonal intrusions
make stntIIwr the lot idiest part of the \c�ar.
Visioilih is generally good all dear in most sections
only oc�c�asionally falling felow miles. 'I'll( prim irk
restrictions are fog, precipitation, and Imv clouds in
autumn through spring, and sand, dust, haze. and
mirage in summer. Surface winds are strongly
infl(e b\ the topograplt\ and adjacent large
bodies of water. As a result. mountain 111(1 valley
winds and land and sea breezes are common. I)iurna)
variations in direction and speed ..re marked. The
strongest winds occur generally (luring the afternoons.
particularly in slimmer. and the \rinds decrease during
the night.
B. Military geographic regions (C)
�yam' ti�w7!` %Cr
A -ti.�
annual ant(nu'ts exceed -15 inches. \lost of the rest of
the country receives sc�anh precipitation except for if
few mountain areas in the west and north. 'I'll(-
extensive interior basins and the lo%ylands along the
;(lf of Om an are the most arid, averaging less than
inches of precipitation ammalk. Most of the annual
precipitation occ�nrs in arttrmn through earl\ spring
on the Caspian littoral ;end during winter and spring
in the rest of Iran. \lonthly anouttts (luring these
periods of rnaxintmn precipitation are around I to -1
inches except at some Caspian locations in atrtunut.
when numthly means exceed 7 or I(1 in(�hes. Summers.
ott the other hand. are almost rainless throughout
""fell of the conntrv. The most prominent exception is
off the Caspian littoral, where summer rainfall
annunls average I to 5 inch(�-- tnonthl\. Snowfail is
most frvyuent in the northern portion of the c�ounlrv.
particularly in the Elburz amt western Zagros
MounlaiIts when� Iteav inter smmf:tlls 11 111\
:c�c�urrtnlatV to it depth of ,everal feet on the highest
There are four military geographic regions� Interior
Plains and IIigh lit nds. \1o!nt tai n [I;III lit nd. :tspian
Plain, and Scntth%crslent Lowlands l F igum II. The
c�ombivaticu of environnental conditions \%ithin each
re,im. would have a uniform effect on military
operations, but there would be marked differences
bMM -ell adiac�ertt regions.
1. Interior Plains and highlands
This regil�n is composed of desert plains :n(1
highlands. I'll(- predominant1% barren plains are
characterized by salt lakes. sand dune, and san(b
areas. and otrte desert scrub mitt grass. The steep.
nu�ky highland, are covered by desert scrub and grass
bill aw oc�c� :tsionall\ barren.
TlIv region is generall% unsuited for ground
operations. (:rosy c�ountr\ mo venu�nt in the plains
"mild he restricted h% loose s,uul. s:utd dlnnes. and
min salt flats to lhc� scattered areas s%ilh flat, stable
�nrfaces: in the mountain� and hills. Inmentent mould
be precluded by steep slopes and nrgged surfaces. The
earth and gravel roads mould deteriorate rapidl\ tinder
N
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FIGURE 10. Area of the Khuzestan plains subject to
intermittent inundation (U /OU)
I rt S
I I
IS/
ABRI r C
BANDAR -E
\AHLAVi
%NDA1
MASHHAD
t\\ f -BAS
YAZD 1 \1.
ABRIZ
100
80
60 V0000
40 20
0'
JFMAMIJASONDJ
MEAN CLOUDINESS 1 AT SPECIFIED HOURS (LST)
TABRIZ
100
80 \oddOD
60 v
40
20:
0
J FMAMIJASONDI
BANDAR E PAHLAVI
100
80
060D
60
40
II
20-
0�
1FMAMJIASONDI
BANDAR E PAHLAVI
100�
so
60 I I I....
40
20
0
JFMAMIJASONDJ
MASHHAD
100
BO
60 0700
40
20
0'-
JFMAMJJASONDJ
SANANDAJ
15
0
,j ICI I
0 1FMAMIJASON
TABAS
5 7
o lll,li
s it l i
0 1 FMAMI IA :ON
BANDAR E PAHLAVI
15
10-
5
0 JFMAMJ IASO
TASK
15
10
5-
I
I
0 1FMAM1/
MASHHAD
IS
10
5
0 JFMAMJJASON
BU5HEHR
15
To
s
0 1FMAMJ /ASOND
JIWANI
:100.
so 0700
60-
40
20
0
1FMAMJIASONDJ
TABAS
100.....
80
60
D)OD
40
20
r
0�
1FMAMIJASONDI
JIWAN1
100. ...I
0700
60.
1
40
20
p.
J FMAMJ JAEONDI
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT SPECIFIED HOURS (LST)
SANANDAJ
1i I l
-201-111 IF 11-50"
ELEVATION 5016 FT
BANDAR -E PAHLAVI
140
120
I
100
a Ole
E10 �I
60
201- 1-1-. 11-L
JFMAMJJASONE
ELE VATION -49 FT
F
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
DAILY MAXIMUM
I .MEAN
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM
ABSOLUTE MINIMUM
*NEAR BUT OUTSIDE IRAN
TEMPERATURES "F)
BUSHEHR
100.
80
60
40 116D0
20
p..........
1FMAMI JA SONDJ
BUSHEHR
100------
80: D6UD
60
40
20
0.
JFMAMJIASONDJ
BUSHEH;
JASK MEAN MONTHLY PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
�LESS THAN .25
MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
FIGURE 11. Precipitation, cloudiness, relative
humidity, and temperatures (U/OU)
8
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sustained its( and dispersal fron the roads eeuuld be
limited by unstable ground surfaces in the� pl;tins and
by steep slopes in the mountains and hills. Read
construction would be difficult in the� plains because
Of unstable soil, occasional duststcrnts, and the lack of
adequate water resources; construction would be
nearly precluded in the hills and mountains by steep
slopes. In most parts of the region. c�oncealnent from
ground observation and coyer front flat trajectory fire
would be available from the hills and mountains or
from sand dunes. There is little or nc concealment
from airobservation. Sites suitable for the construction
of bunker-type installations are located throughout
the plains except in areas of salt flats of sand clones.
Sites suitable for the construction of tunnel -h pe
installations are numerous in the Mils and mountains,
although access to the sites would 'x� limited by the�
steep slopes.
Conditions are generall% unfavorable for airborne
and airnubile operations. Sites are restricted for drop
zones, helicopter landings, and assault-type aircraft
landings to the flat stable surfaces of the plains. A few
airfields located along the western and southern edges
of the region provide additional sites for landing
assault-type aircraft. Airfield constriction would be
hindered in the highlands by Steep slopes and
restricted approaches; and in the plains b salt flats.
sand dunes, unstable soils, and -to the� southeast -1),
blowing sand. Only flat, stable surfaces on the plains
would be suitable for airfield construction. Water is
scarce 0i. the plaints.
Conditions are general'% ttnfavcrtble for irregular
force operations. Concealment from ground observa-
tion and cover from flat-trajectory fire would be
provided in the highlands by rugged terrain and on
the plains b% high sand dunes, but there is almost no
concealment from air observation. Cross country
rnovernent for foot troops in the plains would be
moderately restricted lwc�ause of salt flats and sand
dunes. Movement on the stet -p slopes of the highlands
would be difficult. Very little natural food, water, or
shelter materials are available, although small
amounts of water and cultivated food may be
available in the small villages, particularly in the
northwest. Supplies could br airdropped on the plains,
except in areas of salt flats and dunes, but sites are fey
in the highlands.
2. Mountain Rimland
This region is chiefly composed of steep rugged
mountains and hills dissected by deep narrow valle\s.
Small areas of flat to dissected plains are located
throughout the region, bud most are in tit(- east. Slopes
are usually covered by (-extensive aw:ts of forest.
although ntal'y Kaye scrub and grass or are barren.
Conditions are generally unfavorable for conven-
tional gromd operations. lit the hills and fountains,
cross country movement and dispersal front the roads
by tracked and vehicles would be limited to
narro%% valley floors (Figure 12). Movenent on the
%mall plains areas would be easy except in the� north
and weld between D-centber and April, when swollen
streams, wet ground, or occasionally dee snow would
hamper ntovenu�nt. On -road movement wmlld he fair
on the few bituminous surfaced roads. but harpered
by the earth or gravel roads. which would deteriorate
rapidl\ under sustained use (Figure 13). Most of the
few tirfaced roads are poorly maintained and have
many short radius turn!:, logy- capacity bridges, and
steep grades. Road onstrtictienn in mountain and hill
areas would be nearly precluded by steep slopes: major
construction problems include se\vrvly restricted
alignments arid, in the forested areas, extensive
clearing. Roads could be built with rtlative ease on the
snall plains, but c�onstntction woc:ld be hampered
from December through April by flooding, wet
ground, arid occasionally deep snow in the north acid
west. Cover from flat- lrtjectory fire and concealment
from ground observation would be provided in the
greater part of the region by rugged terrain.
Concealment from ground and air observation would
be provided by the dense broadleaf deciduous forests
on the northern slopes of the Elburz `fountains, and
by bushy trees :tnd shrnbs in the� northwest and in the
Zagros Mountains from April through October.
Elsewhere, concealment primarily would be lacking.
Sites suitable for the construction of hunker -type
installations are available only in the� deep soil of the
plains. except in the north and west from December
through April when flooding occurs. During this
period occasionally deep sno%y would hamper
c�onstrnc�tion, particularly in tit(- Elburz and western
Zagros Mountains. Sites suitable for the c�onslruction
of tunnel -type� installations are numerous in tit(- hills
and tnountatins, lwwevcr. access N the sites would be
hampered b\ steep slopes.
The Mountain Rintland Region is generally
unsuited for airborne an(] airnubile operations.
Parachute drop zones and helicopter landing areas are
available only in the few flat, grassy or barren areas,
but would be precluded elsewhere. The landing of
assault -type aircraft would be limit(-(] to tit(- few small
airfields located near tit(- major urban areas, which are
mainly in the west. Airfield construction in the hills
and mountains would be nearly precluded by the
st(- (-p slops of the rugged tcrain. A few sites for
9
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1160 v
Ak
FIGURE 12. River valley in the
western Zagros Mountains (U /OU)
FIGURE 13. Road through shrub-
covered hills north of Shiraz (U /OU)
NOW
�i. a
airfields are available in the flat plains areas, althongl
the orientation of nmways and approaches %%oulcl he
restricted by the adjacent high mountains and hills.
'me southern coast of the region, irtc�lucliug the
offshore islands, is g(-nvrally unsuited for large -scale
atnphibiotts operations because of flat nearshore
gradients and poor exits. 'I'll(- offshore approaches are
generally clear, but the nearshow approaches are
partly obstructed by ntudflats, shoals, coral reefs, and
islands. Numerous beaches line the� coast, and tltc
majorit% are less than 5 mile long. I�:xcept for the
almost complete lack of exits along the eastern part of
the coast, (-zits from the bcac�hes are bti cans country
movement to it nearby coastal track rougltk
paralleling the shore, and it hard surfaced road
connecting the port of Bandar 'Abbas on the Strait of
Ilormuz with Bandar Lengeh and extending
w estward for about 100 mils.
Conditions are moderatek- favorable for irregular
force operations. Concealment from air observation
would be available during April through 0 (-r on
H
the� northward facing slopes of the Elhurx Mountaius.
%%hen� thew are dense broadleaf deciduous fores,s. and
in the northwest and in the %agnn Mountains here
there are bush trees and shrubs: elsf-Miere in the hills
and mountains, conc�eafnu�nt mmld be limited.
Concealment from ground observation and cover from
flat- trajector% fire would be provided b the steep
slopes of the irregular terrain. Little cover or
COI tcealtnent would be available� in the plains.
Movement cross country hs foot troops %could be
w)ssible in much of the region. although steep, rock%
slopes make mo%4-ment difficult in mane parts of the
hills and ntonntains, and small areas of sand dunes
hamper movement in the plains. Food and eater
could be obtained from the urban ccntcrs. sshic�h are
locatcd mostly in the west and nortimest. and shelter
materials are available in the forested areas. Supplies
could be airdropped in the small plains areas and in it
few places in the mountains. Also, supplies could be
brought in b sea at numerous places along th(- Persian
Cuff coast and along a short stretch of the Caspian Sea
coast.
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t
:1. Caspian Plain
This region is it narrow, flat to roll:ag plain .�oyered
h crops, shrubs, grass, and it fe%% trees. It is crossed by
several north -south trending perennial streams and
numerous shallow irrigation ditches. The streans flood
occasienally during April, May, September. and
October.
The plain is poorly suited for conventional ground
operations. Conditions for cross country movement
and off -road dispersal are good east of the Caspian Sea
but pour elsewhere; the numerous streams, periods of
wet ground (September through May), irrigation
ditches, and rice fields (flooded in spring and ea-l%
sunnier) would all impede movement. Eycn east of
the Caspian Sea cross country movement would be
restricted locally b% steep -sided stream channels.
Roads are sparse and mostly have surfaces that would
not support sustained heavy use. Conditions for road
construction are good o most parts of the plain, but
periods of wet ground and flooding would hamper
construction. Concealment front ground and air
observation genercaily would be unavailable except in
the few small areas of trees, and coyer from flat
trajectory fire would he a'�nost nonexistent. There are
numerous sites for the construction of hunker -type
installations except near the coast where the water
table is high. There arc no sites suitable for the
construction of tunnel -type installations because of
low relief.
Conditions are favorable for airborne and ainnobile
operations. Sites for parachute drop zones and
helicopter landing areas are numerous on the generally
flat cultivated or shrub- and grass covered plain. Sites
for landing assault -type aircraft are limited to the few
snwll airfields located near the major towns. Many
sites are available for the construction of new airfields
on the generally flat surface of the plain. although
approaches from the south %vould he hindered by the
adjacct t mountains. Seasonal restriction :o airficfet
constnction iuclnde stream flooding. wet ground, and
flooded rice: fields.
'I'll( region is not suited for irregular force
operations. Concealment generall% would not be
available except in :.nall scattered areas of trees, and
there is little or no cover front flat trajectory fire.
Cross country movement of foot troops is possible in
most of the region except during April, `lay,
September, and October, when the streams may be
flooded and unfordahle. Food is available from the
scattered cultivated areas and front small urban
settlements, but shelter materials primarily are
restricted to wooded areas along watercourses.
Supplies could be airdropped in many places or
brought in via the Caspian Sea.
4. Southwestern Lowlands
This region is primarily it flat to rolling plain crossed
by several large perennial streams. The plains are
covered by cultivated crops, desert grass, and small
areas of loose sand. Large areas of marsh and nuulflats
are located along the lower reaches of most streams.
Aong the f."ast, and in low areas; land at the mouths
of most >treants is subject to inundation front early
March through May.
The region is fairly well suited for conventional
ground operations. Cross country movement woidd be
relatively easy on the plains except in m. r,,ites
along the lower reaches of most streams; locally, loose
sand and large streams restrict movement. iovement
would be moderately restricted in the snall aria of
hills in the cast. On -road ntovenient would be
relatively cast' on the bituminous- surfaced roads,
although these roads are not capable of handling large
amounts of sustained traffic without serious
deterioration. The gravel roads would deteriorate more
rapidly. Dispersal from the roads would he limited in
areas of miry ground or by loose sandy surfaces. Ne"
roads could he constructed with relative ease on the
fire surfa of the plain;, but severe drainage
problems would hamper construction in wet areas.
Minor road aligionev' and grading problems would
hinder road construction in the small area of hills in
the east. Concealment from ground and .:r
observation and cover front flat trajectory fire ntosd\
would he unavailable except in the hills, where slopes
pncyide hmited amounts of cover and conealnient
front ground observation. Bunker -type installations
(xndd he constructed in areas of well- drained deep
soils but would be precluded where the soils arc airy
or subject to inundation. A few sites suitable f or the
construction of tunnel -type installations are lo( ated in
the small hills in the cast.
Conditions are favorable for airborne and airnubile
operations. Sites for parachute drop zones and
helicopter landing areas are nunu�rous on the generally
flat, grass covered or Imuen plains except in areas of
marsh. assault -type aircraft could land on several
airfields and landing strips located near the major
urban centers. New airfields could be constructed \yith
relative ease on the flat surfaces of the plains except in
marshy areas or where inundation occurs; construction
in the hills would he limited by steep slopes.
The coast of this region is unsuitable for large -scale
amphibious operations because of partly obstructed
approaches, flat nearshore gradients, and the lack of
prepared e:.,ts. 'I'll( sea approaches are encumbered by
shoids and extensive mudflats except where channels
have been dredged. Several sandy beaches are
scattered along the coast utd range from 1,000 yards to
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9 miles in length. Except for hituninous surfaced
roads leading inland front Gana%ch and the purl of
Bushehr. exits front the beaches are b% cross eountrn
nros�enient to �asta) tract:.
Conditions are goner 11% unfavorable for irregular
force operations. Concealnent from ground and air
observation and cover (ruin flat trtjector% fire
genertllc "ould be wa%ailable un the plains that
comprise most of the region: linited curer %%ould be
provided on1% by the slopes of the small hill area in the
east. :ross- countr% movement of foot troops %%ould be
ease on till. flat. grass% surfaces except here loc.,11%
hindered h% loose s:ouf or narsb% ground. Supplies
ctiuld he airdropped iu nan', places or brought in b%
sea at a fecc places Alto the Persian Culf coast. f�'ood,
primaril% grains. is :i%.Aable in must areas, but shelter
inaterials are limited to tall gross and rl.eds in the Ic%%-
I%ing areas.
C. Strategic areas (C)
The 'rehran and hhuzestan strategic areas (I ietire
1 -4 contain most of the major cities, seaports,
indtt. trial centers, and oil- producing areas in Iran.
'A �,iUNDARY REPRESENTATION IS t10
NOT NICESSARILV AUTHORITATIVE
T iJ Kryy,lnrtlsk
U. S. S. n
Chx
r
Caspian Arvnt G
Astara
T br. .Sea
ti t,abad
M:1_yyi
.y
rb,l t.1 a�.hhad
7
ri m ran ,y Knk,
C, S.manda Jam., uwr agnond
1 nndan i J
Afghanistan
/-Baghdad
fa,ah
Shetlr hied 1
r
Iraq
a:
Agh1 10 G'u e w
ara N
Al Ba ra
'S 5 n LIT A el. 3
0
Neinrnl ?oat. KUW;It, DAVrh l
Kuwait 0 Nok Kundl
�h�rlr `Pakistan
1 41909 Appr0'I;u: iirel Approach
Internal route 7 w
O
Amphibiouti landing 9 ;,ndar ANA,
area
7
Radrond
Rona
6ahram
t.0 1`OMd.,
Oman
,Ori /Lp [NTI AL Qatar OAd Daw4ah
Umled
Arab Gull of Oman
501642 4.73 GA 5au,1 4B kat.. ha Emirates 60 IL
FIGURE 14. Strategic areas, internal routes, and approaches (C)
1?
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s= x
:;tea
1. Tehran
Tehran is the capital and largest cite in Ir
(population about 12:3009) in 1971), as "ell as the
major transportation� communication, and industrial
center figures 15 and 16). Tlw city is the center of the
open %%ire, radiotelephone, and radiobroadcast
networks and has s,cvcral rclac stations. Significant
industrial hr-tidlations are several armi:ment plants,
an arsenal, it c�hemic�al factory. it munitions plant, jet
aircraft repair and maintenance shops, auto, tnc�k�
and bus assemble plants� it petroleum refiner, glass
factor, textile factories, and the main railroad repair
shops of the Iran State Raik%ays. The area has two
military airficids, and the field m-st of the cit% is used
by civilian intcnational and military flights.
2. Khuzestan
'rhis area contains most of the oiliae�Ids, oil related
installations, and the principal ports (figure 17).
Abadan (estinw..ted population 280,0(X) in 197 1 is the
site of one of the largest petroleun refineries in the
world, and is the major refined oil exporting port of
the c�ouotn. Abadan h:s it 1'01. (c mdv oil and refined
pe�troleun produc�10 storage capac�it% of abow 3 )8
million barrel~ (Figum I,i). Kho-rainshahr (estimated
population 90,000 in 1971 is the major maritime
center and the site of the principal na%al base (I -igurc
19). This base is the main nasal supple center. and
also has shipyard. c�mnunicAions. training. and
medical facilities. Khorramshahr and llandar -c
Shahpur, the second ranking general cargo port. arc�
the Persian Gulf tcrminals of the Irm State liailx%a%�.
Bandar -e Shaper has one of the "orld's largest
petr.:henic�al plants. Bandar -e Nlah Shahr is the
National Iranian Oil Co. pipeline terminal for the
oilfields in soutimcsteru Iran, and is it tanker port for
the export of refined products. The c�it% hits it POI,
storage capac�ih of about 9 million barrels. Jazircli -%e
Khark (Khary Island) has one of the largest crude oil
terminals in the world and has a POI, storage capacit%
of 14 million barrels. This island also has it small repair
Hard and naval base. Ahw:az (estimated population
215,000 iu 197 1) is it river part and a militar% and
industrial center with it steel mill, large railroad
"orkshops. and several textile plants. '1'sco large
l :i
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FIGURE 15. Tehran lies in a nearly level basin at the foot of the
Elburz Mountains (C)
DeZf UI
i
T
r l FhvszV'
l
r
AQ i
1 Bandar.
ShYi r
Khorrannsha andar�e, 1
A6ad n c ah Shahr
KUWAIT
II AWSIAN cVL
FAYLAKAH: bGanaveh)
1 1
1A21REH�YE
KHARK Bushehr 1
i
O_
48" 50'
Road Pipeline
Railroad Airfield
Marsh Landing area
1 Odfreld
0 ZO 40 60
Statute miles
FIGURE 16. Tehran strategic
area (C)
airfields, near Abadan and Dezful, and several small
airfields are located within the strategic area.
D. Internal routes (C)
The internal routes provide the easiest avenues of
movement between land approaches and strategic
areas and bet%%een the strategic areas jFigure� 14). An
amphibious landing area northwest of Bushehr
provides access to the Khuzestan strategic area. Figure
20 describes each route in detail.
E. Approaches
The perimeter of contiguous Iran is aboftt 4,865
miles, of which 1,560 miles are seacoast and 3,305
miles are land boundaries; The southern coast �along
the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf �is about
1,160 miles long, and the northern coast �along the�
14
FIGURE 17. Khuzestan strategic area (C)
Caspian Sea �is about 400 miles Icing. The islands
which lie off the sonthern coast have a total co:'stal
length of about 420 miles. Iran claims territorial
jurisdiction for 12 nautical miles offshore. I-igtirc 21
presents data on land boundaries. (U /OC'
1. Land (C)
Conditions generally are unfavorable for c�ross-
country movement on the steep slopes of the hills and
mountains which characterize most of the border
zones. Conditions are favorable only on the barren
intermontane plains and basins, which are located
along the border zones with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Transportation lines that cross the borders consist
mainly of a few roads, desert tracks, and trails. Three
railroads cross the borders �one is an approximately
50 extension of a Pakistan railroad into Iran;
of land
access to Iran.
2. Sea (c)
Sc:c al)I)roachcs are lhroudi the (:rill of Onan.
tr:cit of l lorrnuz. and the I'ersion Gulf. C(m(lilions are
gencndl% nnfav(raIde for large scale anI>hihious
operviions hcc�arsc of c\tcnsivc nrrr(Iflats an(I
1) red ni iii tI% flat n -it rsfure gradients. In ;rcIditinn.
the Ire\aiIint, nirtllNCNt \\ind c�ausc�s daslslorin.
Molt nucrkcdl\ rcduc�c isihilit\. :11so. considcrahlc
s%\ (111 occur in the I'crsi;cn (;ulf (I�rinc; these stroni;
kinds. irrnu�diatcl\ Ater the piissat;c of inter log%
pressnre s\sictns. The offshore it pproachcs arc cic:cr:
ncarshon� approaches arc cncnnhcrcd h\ bars. shee;ck
reefs. ncrdilils. and isl:cn(k. The ne;irshorc hotton
natcrial i� Irrcdouinantk sand. \\ith areas of ro,�k.
coral, or c�la\. The ninincunr occurrcrcc of surf I feet
or hikher car hr v\I)cctcd 9 of the lime alum the
coast o1 the Stmit of Ilornuz. :ind the rna\innn
15
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FIGURE 19. Khorramshahr naval base (C)
T
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W
OC
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16
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2009/06/16 CI DPO1- 070780002000700 4 0
Q
FIGURE 21. Boundaries (U /OU)
BOUNDARY LENGTH
.1I iles
Iraq............ 875
Turkey.......... 310
U.S.S.R 1,050
Afghanistan..... 550
Pakistan. 520
STATUS TERRAIN
Demarcated and undisputed ex-
cept along Shutt al Arab, south
of Khorramshahr. Unfortified.
Demarcated, undisputed, and for-
tified.
Demarcated and undisputed, some
light fonifications.
Demarcated, undisputed, and un-
fortified.
....do
FIGURE 22. Land approaches (C)
APPROACH
From Kizyl- Arvat, U.S.S.R.
Across hills and mountains in
the north and flat plain in the
south.
Forested hills and mountains
for most of length. Flat to
rolling grassy plains in south,
with marshes, loose sund,
and dunes.
High, rugged, forested hills and
mountains.
High, rugged, forested hills and
mountains and small plains
east and west of Caspian
Sea.
Principally barren or scrub
covered intermontane basins
and plains, with scattered
areas of hills, mountains, and
salt flats.
Principally rugged hills and
mountains, with basins and
plains; narrow coastal plain
in south. Vegetation mostly
scrub and grass, with some
forest.
ROAD RAILROAD
One to two lanes, gravel in fair None
condition.
From Herat, Afghanistan. Across
Two to three lanes, bituminous in
None
flat to rolling sandy and stony
good condition.
plain.
From Nok Kundi, Pakistan. Acura+
Two lanes, mostly bituminous in
5'6" gage, single track.
stony and sandy desert plains.
poor to good condition.
From Baghdad, Iraq. Across flat
Two lau^7, lituminous in fair to
Meter gage single
irrigated plains and dissected
good condition.
track. Generally par
plains.
allels entire route,
but near border
trends northwest-
ward and does not
cross boundary.
From Karakose, Turkey. Across
Two lanes, gravel in good condi-
None
narrow flat valley plains flanked
tion.
by mountains.
From Yerevan, U.S.S.R. Across
Two lanes, bituminous in good
5'0" gage, single track.
narrow, irrigated river valley
good condition.
plain in northwest and a small
area of hills near Iran border.
From Baku, U.S.S.R. Across hills Two lanes bituminous surface in ....do
in north and fiat, narrow plains good condition.
with marshes and ponds in
south.
E
OFF -ROAD DISPERSAL AND
CROSS COUNTRY MOVEMENT
Poor in mountains and hills be-
cause of steep slopes. Fair on
plains except when ground is
miry for up to 3 days after
rains, mainly between mid
March and October.
Good on flat to rolling plain.
Fair on flat desert plains; locally
poor areas of loose sand.
Fair on fl.tt plains except poor
from early November through
April, when ground miry; lo-
cally poor in areas of irrigation
canals and ditches. Poor in
dissected areas because of steep
slope.
Fair along narrow, flat plains.
Miry soils early Nov. through
May and some snow blockage.
Poor in hills. Fair in narrow river
valley plains; locally hindered
by miry ground for 2 to 3
weeks during March and by
irrigation canals.
Poor in hills because of steep
slopes. Fair on narrow plains
except where locally hinds �ed
by marshes and ponds.
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0
occurrence can be expected *3 of the tittle along the
Persian Culf coast. 'Holes are mixed, and the sprint;
ruage varies frctn about 5 to 13 feet. Except for the
head of the Persian Gulf, n;nnerous beaches fringe the
coast. 'I'll( majorih of the beaches are less than 5 miles
in length and have gentle to steep gradient. The
beaches are generally hacked b dunes that are hacked
i� turn by low, narrow coastal plains containing
tttercd uarshy areas a isolated hills. The plains
are backed by steep hills and nunmtains. Exits are
mostly b tracks or by cross coetntry nwvetnent to
nearby coastal roads and tracks that rough(v parallel
the shore except along the eastern coast, where there
are no prepared exits leading inland.
The amphibious landing area located on the
northwestern coast at Ganavela on the Persian Gulf
provides access to the Khuzestan strategic area (Figure
17). Seaward of the 6 fathom curve, offshore
approa are clear, shoreward, the nearshore
approaches arc partly obstructed by drying hars along
the entire beach. In addition, a ttludflat and pipeline
flack the southeastern NUI of tile beach and it reef, tl
northwestern end. The nearshore bottom material i>
sand and +nuei. The gradient is flat and xvoeticl
preclude ci: ramp landings of INI 's and smaller
landing craft. Surf -1 feet or higher occurs up to iii; of
the tune during November through March, and
infreeptently during the remainder of the� year. 'fides
are mixed, and the diurnal range is 4 feet. The
beach is 4. miles long and is interrupted near the
center by a stream fronted by ntudflats. The beach is
composed of sand and some thud; the sand is firm
where wet and soft where dry. Beach widths average
148 yards at low water and 5 yards at high water;
gradients are mild to gentle in the logy -water to high-
water zone and steep in the high -water zone. The
beach is immediately backed by old beach ridges
merging with sandflats and dillies behind tlu.
southeastern end. Exits are by cross- c�onntn
movement to it track 165 to 7 -13 yards inland;
movement farther inland would be by tracks and trails
to it hittuninous road which is parallel to the beach,
and as much as 3 miles hack at the southeastern end.
3. Air (U /OU)
Air approaches`t are over mountains except in the
north and south, where they are over water and desert
plains.
Approaches from the northwest are over the
mountains of eastern 'Turkey and southern U.S.S.11.
The discussion vine for air approaches extends approximately
280 nautical miles beyond the borders of Iran.
'Pile mountains in eastern 'Turkey are mostly over
10,000 feet and reach it maxitnutn of about I�, ,000 feet
within IO nautical miles of Iran, ;.nd the nnnutains in
southern U.S.S.11. Dave maxintunt elevations of;bout
17,000 feet within 200 nautical stiles of Iran.
Approaches from the north are over the Caspian Sea
and the desert and steppe plains of southern U.S.S.11.
east of the Caspian Sea and art- relatively
unobstructed except adjacent to the Iran bound;an.
when� mountain elevations reach over 7,000 Feel.
Approaches front the east are over the high nouutaitts
and desert plains of Afghanistan and Pakistan; the
mountains reac�It peak elevations of over 13.500 feet in
Afghanistan, 180 nautical miles from Iran, and reach
more than 9,000 in Pakistan within 130 nautical miles
of Iran. Approaches from the west and south, across
the Arabian Sea, Calf of Oman, Persian GAL
northeastern Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria.
are generally free front surface obstructions except for
the highlands south of the Gulf of Oman in Saudi
Arabia and along the border with Iraq. The mountains
in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula
reach a peak elevation of nearly 10,0(X) feet. 130
nautical stiles front Iran, and the mountains in
northeastern Iraq reach it ntaxitnum elevation of
nearly 12,5(X) feat along the border with Iran.
Although weather conditions are generally
favorable for aircraft operations in all approaches
throughout the year, the approaches front the north
and northwest are the Ivast favorable. Usually, the
worst weather occurs during November through April,
wheu migratory low- pressure centers and their
associated frontal systems affect all approaches. 'These
weather systems are accompanied fy extensive
cloudiness, precipitation, c�otlditicns often conducive
to aircraft icing, and moderate to severe turbulence.
The influence of these lows is greatest in the northern
and northwestern approaches, when� c�ioucliness
averages 6W(' to 90 /i, and is least in the southern
approach. where cloudiness is usually less than 40
I)nring May through October, weather conditions art-
very much improved throughout all approaches.
Mean cloudiness ranges from 40rr* to Wr' in the
northwestern approach (in the Caucaso., and parts of
Turkey) to less than 20i over much of the remaining
approaches. In the vicinity of southern Pakistan and
the Gulf of Oman, however, there is it tnidseason
increase in cloudiness, and mean amounts range from
�10 to Wi. 'I'hutlderstonn activity reaches it
maximum during May through October. occurring on
3 to 10 days per month at rnanv places in the northern
and northwestem approaches. In the remaining
19
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0
Co%I.
approaches, thrnderstorms occur inlre(luently. The
average height of the freezing level is lowest in the
northern approach and highest in the southern
approach, ranging from near the surface to about
I I,(xX) feet during midwinter and from about 14,000
feet to near 18,000 feet in midsummer. Upper winds
20
are predominantly westerly between 10,000 and
55,000 feet throughout the year in all approaches.
Below 100)0 feet, winds are light and variable. Mean
wind speeds reach a maxims m of 60 to 9:5 knots at
about 40,000 to 45,0(x) feet during December through
February.
CON FIDE.NTIAL
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0
Cl)
Places and features referred to in this General Survey (U/OU)
:it) IN
A b.'id a li
:ill 211
Agh., Jari
a11 32
A 11 V. I z I
:31 19
Am'Ant�slik
:32 27
A ra k
:11 If.
Arts Itiver .siren
3!l 56
A sit I .'t l6t (I I I
1 3 1 17
Asal fiyeh
27 2S
Ast .1 r
3s 26
Bad.
11
Baftl
31 :J.
B.
all 12
Balimaii KI strio
311 412
Baku, U.S.S.11
Ill 2:4
Bandar 'Abbas
27 11
Bandar -t- Leiigeh
26 3.3
Bandar -e Mah Sliahr.
:ill 33
Bandar -e Pahlavi
:17 2"
Bandar -e S hah
:Ili 56
I la n da r e Sha Ili) fir.
:34 1 25
Bang
211 11
Bid B Amid
27 51
Binak oil fit lit;
211 1 5
Bojii iird I
:17 2,N
Bushehr
2N )it
�h. BaIii
25 Is
Dasht-v Kavir it st ri
31 Ili
32 2:3
flez, It ud-v strin
:if 39
'-'Il)urz Mountain, lot
:w fill
Eflu I isaii
29 52
Esfahan I
:32 lo
Faral)abad
35 12
Firuz Kull
35 15
(ladis.
30 12
(4tilaveli
211 :32
(;armsar
:35 211
Golmaokhaiw1i
:37 36
(.organ
36 5o
(;organ, Hfid-v .street
:Ili .i!1
(;tjlf of 01nall it it (r
25 00
ll:tf:tr Channel mr to stroi
:ill 26
liallimbill
:if Is
Ileildij.
30 11
Ifendijaii offshoro oilfield
:30 (15
Iferat. Afghaiiistati
:11 211
Ifilldtl KOSIl. Afghallist;'ll rots
:35 Oil
I l6riooz
27 oli
Iformoz, Strait of
26 :11
Ivu, k I I
25 3s
Jolfa I
*S 57
K.' it, 'a lfi had
2S 19
K;tr:tj
:i. is
Karakose, Turke
:III I I
Karhal-,V, Iraq
32 36
K, Bar har
:311 21
K. Hfid-e 4rint
:it) 26
K tSll, k I)
3:1 11
Kazerfm
211 :37
Kertwim
:311 17
Kermaiishah
:31 lit
Kh.irk. Jazireh- vt
-lit 15
Khark i Kharg). Jaziroh-.N v pipeline to rno
211 15
Khorramah.-id
:3:3 :to
K liorratuslialir
30 25
K hosrow.
:jo Ili
KhOzestmi n(in I
30 30
Kilvo v
*S 33
Kiz %rvnt, I S I?
3s .ix
Lak.� I rfwa Ill A i
z' lip
Ln I i I I
Q 21
Las It ka ra k
lit
I-: avali. Jazirvii-Yr isl
26 Is
I.#- vta
35 17
M�lijil
Marand
3x :!t
Marath('m,
31% 09
Marum. lifid-4- stern
.11 If.
Maslillad
3t; I,
Mah Shalir, Khowr-v rhoinnfli
:30 26
Masjed SoleY111:
31 ON
Melld-ab
:Ili 02
Mil-javeh
29 111
155 Ili
IN 11;
lit all
IS 12
IS 21
Ili II
Is 240
Is 117
5 2 :37
I's 52
52 Of
55 21
56 is
I I
I
lip -ri I
56 17
51 53
1!1 12
114 27
51 lit;
lit 05
511 lip
:i lip
51) 22
57 19
5 2 5f I
(ill 37
51 :ill
IN 21
IN 52
53 111)
50 15
51 3's
i t 30
52 17
50 17
50 31
52 13
15 15
51 29
51 11.
5N Oil
1N Ili
IN :it I
19 13
19 50
62 12
71 00
5 1 i 2S
56 15
57 Ili
15 :IS
1; 1 27
50 ')it
13 03
11 02
Is II
is 10
51 211
51 :I�
57 (15
17 ill
:i ll 20
all 211 1
IS 20 1
is i I i
1 25
5o Oil
I1 5s
56 15
15 :to
lip oli
51 :31;
.53 15
:il 11
19
15 Ili
2:1 5S
111 36
36
49 I's
is 1) 1
(if 2S
V. 'E.
told
:it) IN
\aft -t- Shah.
3.3 54
V"Ill
32 52
ikshalir
26 1:3
\ok Kuridi. Pakistaii.
2S I S
\o%% Huz to f!Aor# m1feild
29 :141
\o%% slialir.
36 39
lla. anciont stit
:Ili I-
Pazariall
30 :15
I'virm-polis sito
29 57
Pcrsian Gulf qaf
27 Off
26 116
(larch Sit shin
:11 52
(,W:iZ\ ill
3f; Ili
Qtz\ it) 1
35 30
(14�,11111 I'l
26 15
(joill
:if :ill
(1, q (I r.
is 2s
Q if v Im I 1
37 06
16 fsa Ilia I I
311 21
Ita 1) 111:1111!!,
:32
Itakli,li ,.Fi'shor, to t Ifi, Ili
26 25
HasIll
3 7 Ili
lin
3 1 50
:37 33
H iz
:32 23
lloll:i( Karim
35 2
Hostain dYsloon w ft, ld
2 :i 5
f i (I If k I (I 'trin
:17 26
Sa 11: 111 f ht
I :35 19
Sara jell
:11 36
Sa ra k I i s
36 :32
sa ri
I 36 3 1
IS 33
(1: r: i k
26 511
Shaft Pasaml
:37 117
t ill
'Iiaht ill
36 25
slialili- \4. BaLl
:31 59
S I la I I i S: i h: I d
33 lip
SharafkImneh
:3X II
"hall al A ra 1)
211 57
-a z
'fill
29 :Ili
Sufmii
3S' 17
Sol ka fit. Kfomr-v bay
29 (11)
Strait of Ilorlotiz str
26 31
S Ofiall
3S 17
Tabas I
33 36
'hibw. I
3S 115
Tajrish I
:35 Is
I': I k 4 S I I I I I.....
1 36 1) 1
Taraslit
33 5S
Ti li r.a it
35 Ili
I' v 11111 i
:11 55
'I'll r I m I -t lleydariveh ....I
35 it;
Ve vs
:31 29
Yazd...
:11 53
Yerv\an. t S.S.H
10 11
Zagros Moillitaill, tilts
33 .111
Zarmid
:10 1S
Za lit -da I i
29 31
ZaYa ii(li-h It fill sirm
:32 20
SELECTED AIRFIELDS
Ahadait Intl i-mitiomil
I 30 22
\f ha Jar; I
:311 15
Baii(lar Abbas International
'7 11
Buslo-hi
2 57
Vsfalmii.
32 :17
Uavh Saran New
:30 20
Kvrimm I
30 1 6
Kerman.,hah \orth
:3 21
Khark Island
211 1 6
Mashhad
36 11
\I:L�j(.(l Solvilliall
32 DO
I"a'11t t.-T
37 20
liezai.\cli Ioli-rimliorml
37 10
Shaloroklo
35 13
Slw International
211 :12
Tabriz.
:Ili (IS
Telmm Doshaii 'hijilit-li..
3.5 -12
Ti-hraii Mebrahad
35 .11
Validati
:32 26
Yazd West
:31 54
Zalied.to
211 27
1 55
15 :it)
53 (15
fill 12
62 Ili
[if 25
51 :31
53 1:1
19 5! 1
5 2 5 2
51 00
fi I 17
51 25
0o
50 30
55 15
51) 41
11 2 :i
5's :311
56 (11
15 IN
52 Ili
19 36
511 is
5 (11
1 20
51 11.5
5 2 51
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5l (11
4; 1 11
53 of
5:3 21
57 25
55 Ili
55 Ol
IN 52
19 15
15 29
Is :31
5 2 3,
15 59
50 )0
56 15
IS :i!1
16
.5 1 25
19 13
57 1:3
51 26
Ill 17
59 13
.1 Is' :i
54 2 5
I1 30
m
I S If
Ill lit
Sri 2:1
-50 511
51 12
50 lip
51; 5i
17 oil
50 19
lip 17
V)
52 4.4
Ili 15
51 29
IS 21
5-1 17
60 a I
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070044-0
1 .1 q 1 Yerevan CIV In x l
-1 Baku
40
kOSe
Kfasficudsk
U. S. S. .9a
Bazargan
Turkey 7 7\
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o 0 Bandar.0 sk,
P 46habJ4
7rjn Zan lan
Shah, ao -ShahsavSr
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Now 8 hr bol S iri Behshahr
j ShAhi
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kestAn Shems
r
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e ruz C
r 0ey n,
anandaj e
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armsar
To
Z Knurm
i As., id4ad.
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jarkhoovriin:
J Fn Clorn
Qom
Malayer
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Ar5k
S a &shan
i BQr&je
aghdad
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