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The Overlooked Iranian Missile Threat
(Wall Street Journal) Jonathan Ruhe and Blake Fleisher - The focus on Tehran's ballistic missiles overlooks an important point: Iran already possesses cruise missiles capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. Tehran has at least a dozen nuclear-capable, Russian-made Kh-55 cruise missiles, procured illegally from Ukraine around 2001. They have a range of 1,500 miles, allowing Tehran to place a warhead anywhere from Cairo to New Delhi. The regime has also copied that design to create its own Soumar missile. Cruise missiles have short launch times - on the order of minutes, and have sophisticated guidance systems that allow them to fly close to the ground and around obstacles, making them more difficult for radar to track. The nuclear deal will allow Tehran to expand its arsenal of cruise missiles. UN Resolution 2231, which endorsed the deal, removed the categorical bans that prevented Iran from buying military technology that it could potentially use to deliver nuclear weapons. Under Resolution 2231, the U.S., Britain and France can block Russia and China from transferring cruise missiles, parts and technology to Iran. The U.S. must uphold its pledge to veto attempts to give or sell Iran missile technology. Mr. Ruhe is the associate director, and Mr. Fleisher is a policy analyst, at the Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy, part of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.