[AmerRepb]

The Shihab-3 may not go into production at all--the production and testing of the prototypes could be merely an interim phase in Iran's ongoing development of the Shihab-4, which will have a range of about 2000 km and larger payload capacity. Unlike its predecessor, the Shihab-4 is the product of exclusively Russian ballistic technology and can carry biological, chemical or nuclear warheads (it's ostensible purpose is to launch satellites into orbit). Development of the Shihab-4 is expected to be completed within 2-3 years. Experts have also estimated that Iran will develop a long-range ballistic missile, the Shihab-5, capable of reaching targets in the United States, by 2010.

[hflynn]

The Shihab-3 may not go into production at all--the production and testing of the prototypes could be merely an interim phase in Iran's ongoing development of the Shihab-4, which will have a range of about 2000 km and larger payload capacity. Unlike its predecessor, the Shihab-4 is the product of exclusively Russian ballistic technology and can carry biological, chemical or nuclear warheads (it's ostensible purpose is to launch satellites into orbit). Development of the Shihab-4 is expected to be completed within 2-3 years. Experts have also estimated that Iran will develop a long-range ballistic missile, the Shihab-5, capable of reaching targets in the United States, by 2010.

This just in: Iran renames missles programs in honor of Greece. Shihab development programs are now redesignated Shiskabob-x programs.