(Yediot Ahronot-Hebrew) - Felix Frisch Iran is developing surface-to-surface, long-range Shihab-4 and Shihab-5 missiles capable of striking the United States, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz revealed during a briefing for journalists in Turkey. "Regarding the Shihab 4 and 5...we are aware of Iranian intentions. They are planning to develop these missiles....Within a few years they could achieve long range missile capability. For a while now these missiles have been appearing on computer screens and drafting tables." The defense minister also said that Iran now has an initial capability to launch the 1,300 km-range Shihab-3 missile that could strike Israel, and has been testing this missile for a number of years. While the development of the Shihab-3 had run into problems after an unsuccessful test, Iran has since made a number of successful test firings. Mofaz discussed Iranian capabilities with Turkish officials, and said, "Iran's nuclearization disturbs many countries, including Turkey and the U.S."
2003-05-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive