World Tribune.com

Iran builds launchers for Shihab-3 missiles

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, July 6, 2000

NICOSIA -- Iran has built five launchers for ballistic missiles and intelligence sources said this includes that of the Shihab-3.

The five launchers come as the Iranian military is preparing to deploy intermediate- and medium-range ballistic missiles developed over the last five years. The military has organized special units to operate the missiles.

Gen. Rahim Safawi, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, announced that five launching pads for ballistic missiles have been completed. Safawi told the official Islamic Republic News Agency that the launching pads have "substantially increased Iran's defensive capacity and the country now ranks among the leading military powers of the region."

Safawi did not specify the type of missiles to be used on the launchers. But Western intelligence sources, who confirmed the general's assertion, said they include the Shihab-3 missile. The missile has a range of 1,300 kilometers and can strike Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Iranian officials said tests of various missiles will continue. The last test was in March when a surface-to-air missile was launched in the Gulf.

Western intelligence sources expect Iran to soon test the Shihab-3, based on the North Korean No-Dong missile and improved by Russia and China. Last month, the sources said Russia and Iran agreed to further improve their military ties during the visit of the highest-ranking military delegation to Teheran since 1991.

The head of the Russian Defense Ministry's international military cooperation department, Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov said his visit in late June was meant "to determine the common menace to the security of our two states and methods for its neutralization." Iranian officials said one area of expansion will be increased Russian involvement in the Bushehr nuclear reactor.

Thursday, July 6, 2000

Subscribe to World Tribune.com's Daily Headline Alert
One-stop shopping for world news


Contact World Tribune.com at world@worldtribune.com

Return toWorld Tribune.com front page
Your window on the world