CIA: Iran can already deploy Shihab-3 missile
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, March 13, 2000
WASHINGTON -- Iran has already achieved the capability to deploy the
medium-range Shihab-3 missile, the CIA says.
In an unclassified report to Congress, the CIA said Iran achieved
success in development of the Shihab-3, with a range of 1,300 kilometers.
The agency said Russia and China supplied much of the missile components and
technology for Iran's ballistic missile programs.
In the first half of 1999, the CIA report said, Iran has "built and publicly
displayed prototypes for the Shihab-3 medium-range ballistic missile,
which had its initial flight test in July 1998 and probably has achieved
'emergency operational capability' -- i.e., Teheran could deploy a limited
number of the Shihab-3 prototype missiles in an operational mode during
a perceived crisis situation."
Iranian officials have said the Shihab-3 is meant to target Israel.
Israeli defense officials said the Arrow anti-missile system ready for
deployment does not have the capability to intercept the Shihab.
The determination differs with previous assessments that Iran continues
to encounter difficulties in the development of the Shihab-3, a missile
based on the No-Dong of North Korea.
The report, issued last week, said Iran remains one of the most active
countries seeking to acquire ballistic missile and nonconventional weapons
technology from abroad. The CIA said that in 1999 Iran focused its efforts to
acquire such technology from Russia, China, North Korea and Western Europe.
China, for example, supplied missile components, raw material and technical
expertise to Iranian missile programs.
"In doing so, Teheran is attempting to develop an indigenous capability
to produce various types of weapons -- nuclear, chemical, and biological --
and their delivery systems," the report said.
The CIA said Iran is already producing short-range Scud ballistic
missiles.
The report quoted Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani as
acknowledging the development of the Shihab-4. At first, the minister
described it as being more capable than the Shihab-3. But later he termed it
as a space launch vehicle without military applications. He also mentioned a
more advanced Shihab-5.
The CIA said Teheran seeks dual-use equipment from Russia and Western
Europe for its nonconventional weapons programs. "Outside assistance is both
important and difficult to prevent, given the dual-use nature of the
materials, the equipment being sought, and the many legitimate end uses for
these items," the report said.
Moreover, Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons through development of a
large civilian project. The report said Russia is a leading supplier and
contractor of the planned 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactor in Bushehr.
"The expertise and technology gained, along with the commercial channels
and contacts established -- even from cooperation that appears strictly
civilian in nature -- could be used to advance Iran's nuclear weapons
research and developmental program," the CIA said. "Despite international
efforts to curtail the flow of critical technologies and equipment, Teheran
continues to seek fissile material and technology for weapons development
and has set up an elaborate system of military and civilian organizations to
support its effort."
The report said Russia has pledged to limit its nuclear cooperation with
Iran. But Moscow has failed to enforce export controls.
Monday, March 13, 2000
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