NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 33; IRAN; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY

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CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070044-0
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY PUBLICATIONS The basic unit of the NIS is the General Survey, which is now published in a bound -by- chapter format so that topics of greater per- ishability can be updated on an individual basis. These chapters� Country Profile, The Society, Government and Politics, The Economy, Military Geog- raphy, Transportation and Telecommunications, Armed Forces, Science, and Intelligence and Security, provide the primary NIS coverage. Some chapters, particularly Science and Intelligence and Security, that are not pertinent to all countries, are produced selectively. For small countries requiring only minimal NIS treatment, the General Survey coverage may be bound into one volume. Supplementing the General Survey is the NIS Basic Intelligence Fact book, a ready reference publication that semiannually updates key sta- tistical data found in the Survey. An unclassified edition of the factbook omits some details on the economy, the defense forces, and the intelligence and security organizations. Although detailed sections on many topics were part of the NIS Program, production of these sections has been phased out. Those pre- viously produced will continue to be available as long as the major portion of the study is considered valid. ivarterly listing of all active NIS waits is published in the Inventory or` Available NIS Publications, which is also bound into the concurrent classified Factbook. The Inventory IL.s all NIS units by area name and number and includes classification and date of issue; it thus facilitates the ordering of NIS units as well as their filing, cataloging, and utilization. Initial dissemination, additional copies of NIS units, or separate chapters of the General Surveys can be obtained directly or through liaison channels from the Central Intelligence Agency. The General Survey is prepared for the NIS by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency under the general direction of the NIS Committee. It is coordinated, edited, published, and dissemi- nated by the Central Intelligence Agency. WARNING This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States, within the meaning of title 18, sections 793 and 794 of the US code, as amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. CLASSIFIED BY 019641. EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFI- CATION SCHEDULE OF E. O. 11652 EXEMPTION CATEGORIES 5B (1), (2), (3). DECLASSIFIED ONLY ON APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE. APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 WARNING The NIS is National Intelligence and may not be re- leased or shown to representatives of any foreign govern- ment or international body except by specific authorization of the Director of Central Intelligence in accordance with the provisions of National Security Council Intelligence Di- rective No. 1. For NIS containing unclassified material, however, the portions so marked may be made available for official pur- poses to foreign nationals and nongovernment personnel provided no attribution is made to National Intelligence or the National Intelligence Survey. Subsections and graphics are individually classified according to content. Classification /control designa- tions are: (U /OU) Unclassified /For Official Use Only (C) Confidential (S) Secret APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 This chapter was prepared for the NIS by the Defense Intelligence Agency. Research was sub- stantially completed by January 1973. APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 Page 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 1 7 7 Ri 41 N-1 F AS.. 77 5 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070044-0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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-` APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA RDP01 00707R000200070044 0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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. APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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? APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 FIGURE 19. Khorramshahr naval base (C) T O c V C4 W OC M Z 16 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 `mac V a c a �o a e c to C s C. ae ro r s 0 C aS 'y G L p O x p o 'C Y �0 Q c i p p a p p m �v e 9 c� y Y M S Y C p C 'r q iii r a to 7 M 3 V e y a c 7 Y y^ C L t c EA c bt E L v OL e� Y e Y C s E c 'e o o E o c c o` o o ti c e� o` L E �o a 0 0 e e a. `ae o L a, ec r- d x a o a Y r.' n Y r 'o E z ec a` 4 E Y t 4, `0 L ee �a a 'o e a: L_ 4 c o e. y i �o 3 7 n o e C �e t o L V y r Q L G r. L v L O 7 C G %a L 3 v. L C G v O L ..G.. ea _r E 7 G l o ae U i C ar G! Y C_ O v v E a� y C v Y 7 I C ae e C o Q E a+ t c C u C p x C .0 A d OC �O 7 E C a m .0 O C a y}! z o E �J v. L% CL 7 V Q C L v C L Z C O v% m e, v O s r. x Z C o .r y Go c� e z� L J L C s y C v 9L 5 v r� 5 to Z L x x OL u C OL O 7 m C� a c ic C �fl m ar' L� ae ee L ae CL 0 a C e F s a 7 m E C L s p O v 7 'C e v C G L C �p e on 'C Y a, z co t j a Y C a0 aYf� C C 7 ai. y Y be d 7 O C �O 'O C L �O y` a v m C= a 7 C .fl a y a �C m a 'C O a v C C v s �C In /A Y a O O c0 m V C Y V O 7 t :J 3 f F C_ C O �o x s a ae m F d m o a x y e o c ca C6 a F ate" c sm F a m u L" y O L C 7 d .0 d v C 6 V C C C 7 it a G`. E- F O`. v c a APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200070044 -0 [IN APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2009/06/16 CI DPO1- 070780002000700 4 0 ow 3 I kjf ,3 k2 A 2 25 d f]) a� 0 a 8 6 CL Do 0 22eba g k 2 to k 0 -a] 3� �f B � $V'� �a +I )k jo 0 =2� E C C Do \)0 �,7 0 /a2 �a %E f ae k 1 4 cs d a e c 2]} s =03 CU -el e2; te a d k g j /2L ='a= mo t 2 tic -we rw 2 2 � swd 06 0 f a L. 2 k d k= k w k k k B k 8 I. 00 Do A 2 [IN 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. 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S. S. .9a Bazargan Turkey 7 7\ �'Ndkh1chovar* F&JbAd kA j 01fa V-1 0 r Khvoy Fy. I J Marand 1'- lri� Astara Ca \Vn I AstarA S e a r Tabriz Arebll U Sharafkh Rea. Veh 4100 M aNgSh WAneh Bandar�e Pahlavi 'AlCirdzib Ahqdn Ras 0 M7andowab o 0 Bandar.0 sk, P 46habJ4 7rjn Zan lan Shah, ao -ShahsavSr ChAlos Babol Sar 85 11 Now 8 hr bol S iri Behshahr j ShAhi .0azvin ,kaqqe, kestAn Shems r ajrTsh ./Kirkik K ara W,$jdlihen e ruz C r 0ey n, anandaj e OU1,4 armsar To Z Knurm i As., id4ad. eHOMadin jarkhoovriin: J Fn Clorn Qom Malayer Naft Shah 4N. I Ar5k S a &shan i BQr&je aghdad Kha'r[@-rp4b6d 0- V.1 \