(New York Times) David E. Sanger and William J. Broad - The huge explosion that destroyed a major missile-testing site near Tehran three weeks ago was a major setback for Iran's most advanced, solid-fuel, long-range missile program, according to American and Israeli intelligence officials and missile technology experts. Satellite photos show that the base was almost completely leveled in the blast. Analysts described the Nov. 12 blast which killed Gen. Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, the head of Iran's missile program, as a major setback - not just because of the extensive damage to the site but also because of the loss of expertise from the specialists working there. "Anything that buys us time and delays the day when the Iranians might be able to mount a nuclear weapon on an accurate missile is a small victory," said one Western intelligence official.
2011-12-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive