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
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