Iran to focus on longer-range Shihab-4

WASHINGTON -- Iran, fresh from its success in launching the Shihab-3, now aims to launch a more advanced missile, Western defense officials said.

The officials said Iran will focus its efforts on completing development of the Shihab-4 and staging its first test launch. The Shihab-4 aims to have a range of at least 2,000 kilometers, 700 kilometers more than the Shihab-3.

U.S. defense officials said the Shihab-4 will be a breakthrough for Iran. Unlike the Shihab-3, the Shihab-4 will be completely based on Russian technology -- probably that of the SS-4 missile.

The Shihab-3 is essentially a North Korean No-Dong missile, U.S. officials said. They said the missile was improved by Russian technology.

U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said the Iranian missile programs justifies U.S. plans to develop a national missile defense system. "I have pointed to Iran and the testing of the Shihab-3 and what I assume will be the testing of the 4 in the future and beyond that, as one of the reasons why it is important for the United States to undertake to research, develop and potentially deploy an NMD [national missile defense] system that would provide protection against countries such as Iran posing a threat to the United States," Cohen said. "We know that they will continue to test it, they will continue to develop a longer-range missile range capability."

U.S. officials said Iran plans to complete the Shihab-4 missile by 2002. They said given that schedule, a test of the Shihab-4 could take place by the end of the year.

"Anytime you have success in a particular missile system, that gives you confidence to move forward with more tests, with greater capability,'' Cohen said. "It has a way of growing almost exponentially. So I think there is obviously a potential to accelerate development with each successful test."

A senior Israeli defense official said he agreed with the U.S. assessment. "We don't know of concrete plans for the launching of a Shihab-4, but this is not inconceivable," the official said.

Iran has acknowledged the Shihab-4 program. But Iranian officials said the Shihab-4 is meant to be a satellite booster.

Some Western defense sources agree. But they said Iran plans to continue with its missile development with the Shihab-5. This missile will have a range of 5,500 kilometers and could strike parts of the United States.

The sources expect Iran to complete development of the Shihab-4 in 2005. The missile is expected to be completed as Teheran will produce nuclear weapons.

In a related development, a bill has been introduced in Congress to renew sanctions on North Korea, a leading supporter of Iran's missile development program. The bill was introduced by House International Relations Committee chairman Rep. Benjamin Gilman in the wake of failed missile talks between the United States and North Korea.

Gilman's bill would would renew economic sanctions on North Korea if it tests or exports missiles or missile technology. "This bill tells the North Koreans that they cannot continue to proliferate dangerous weapons technologies to the world's most odious governments without paying a price in their relationship with the United States," Gilman said.

North Korea has demanded $1 billion for the end of its missile exports.