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Analysis / Shihab-3 improving slowly but steadily
Haaretz ^ | August 12, 2004 | Ze'ev Schiff

Posted on 08/12/2004 5:57:38 AM PDT by yonif

The Iranians' last test of the Shihab-3 medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile was apparently intended to improve the missile's guidance system. The Shihab-3's range is estimated at 1,300 kilometers. From certain places in Iran the Shihab-3 can reach large parts of Israel. After almost achieving the missile's maximum range, the Iranian experts are focusing on improving the missile's accuracy and its warhead. This is not the first time the Iranians have tested the Shihab-3; in the past they had a few failures in launching the missile. Their progress may be slow but they are gradually succeeding in improving the missile.

The Iranians talk a lot about Israel as a possible target but the Saudis know the Shihab-3's range covers most of Saudi Arabia's cities as well as important oil fields. The Shihab-3 range already covers a NATO member state - Turkey. Details of the Shihab-3 warhead are not known, but it is reasonable to presume it is an ordinary warhead, with the option of attaching a chemical head to it. However, it is doubtful that such a missile was intended to carry a nuclear warhead. If the Iranians obtain nuclear capability they will most likely build a larger missile.

Unlike Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Israel has partial protection from the Shihab-3. The Arrow missile, recently tested successfully in the United States against a Scud missile, is capable of intercepting the Shihab-3. After the test the Iranians said the missile was intended to deter Israel. This test is not believed to be triggered off by the Arrow's successful test, because the preparations for such a test takes a relatively long time.

It is known that the Iranians are continuing to develop their more advanced missile, Shihab-4, which is expected to have a range of a few thousand kilometers. If they succeed in developing the Shihab-4, its range will cover all of Europe. The EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who visited Israel recently, received a detailed report on Iran's actions, including the development of the Shihab-4 missile.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iran; israel; terroriststate; wmd

1 posted on 08/12/2004 5:57:38 AM PDT by yonif
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To: yonif

Silly mullahs, you can export oil but you can't export nuclear fission. My guess is that they think the rockets will deliver nuclear energy created by those "peaceful reactors" via rockets.

Fire up the F-16 I's


2 posted on 08/12/2004 6:45:21 AM PDT by sully777 (Our descendants will be enslaved by political expediency and expenditure)
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To: yonif

Today Israel, tomorrow New York City.

What fools we have become.


3 posted on 08/12/2004 6:46:23 AM PDT by ZULU
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To: ZULU

We allow this to grow at our peril.


4 posted on 08/12/2004 7:04:26 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

The only area that should be worried is Europe. America and Israel will be able to shoot down the missile. With Israel, Iran is betting that if Israel successfully shot down a missile that the EU and the US would prevent Israel from launching a counter attack.

They are unfortunately wrong...


5 posted on 08/12/2004 7:20:05 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz ("If you control the information given to society, you control society. ")
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