Iran's Successful Missile Test Puts Israel Within Range

Ha'aretz ^ | July 04, 2003 | Amir Oren

[DoctorZIn]

Iran has successfully tested a Shihab-3 missile, which has a range that can reach Israel. The launch last week was the most successful so far of the seven or eight tests of the missile over the last five years, and has increased worries in Washington - which spotted the test with its tracking mechanisms - and in Israel.

If the assessment proves to be true that the missile, which was launched from east to west, had an effective range beyond the 1,300-kilometer red line, meaning the range from western Iran to Israel, the Iranians could position the launching pads for the rocket deeper inside their country.

The Iranian threat will be one of the subjects under discussion when Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon visits the Pentagon and U.S. armed forces bases next week. Ya'alon's itinerary is supposed to include the Florida headquarters of two key commands: Centcom and Special Operations at MacDill air force base.

More data is now being collected and collated in the West about the missile test and about the progress being made in the Iranian missile program, which is based on North Korean missiles. In previous tests, when the rocket was powered by a North Korean engine, the tests were successful, but when the engines were Iranian-made, even with North Korean know-how, they tended to fail - despite statements by Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shakhmani in 2002 that Iran can "develop everything" and does not need help from foreign sources like China or Russia.

The report of the Shihab-3 test is an incentive for Israel equipping itself with more Arrow missiles made by the Israel Aircrafts Industries and soon to go into a joint production process with Boeing.

Israel is also concerned about the growing ties between Iran and Libya. Indeed, the Libyan threat is now the reason for a third Arrow battery even though the Iraqi threat is gone. One response to the Libyan threat would be an Arrow battery mounted on a naval vessel.

Western experts said that the 16-meter single-stage Shihab-3, which can carry up to a ton of explosives in its payload, is not very accurate, with the probability of hitting within three kilometers of any target it is launched at. But it is possible that has been improved over the past year. In any case, the missile range already includes Israel, Turkey, the Indian subcontinent and the American forces in the Gulf. Iran has plans for two longer-range missiles: a Shihab-4, with a 2,000-kilometer range and a Shihab-5, with a 5,500-kilometer range.

The last Shihab missile test resulted in a Bush administration statement expressing "serious concerns" about the Iranian missile project, which is a "threat to the region and U.S. interests."

The next commander of Centcom, Gen. John Abizaid, who replaces Tommy Franks on Monday, testified last week to a Senate committee that "Iran has the largest ballistic missile inventory in the Central Command region to include long-range weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems capable of reaching deployed U.S. forces in the theater." And he warned, "Iran's long-term ability to develop nuclear weapons remains a source of serious concern."

He told the committee that "Iran casts a shadow on security and stability in the Gulf region. Iran's military is second only to the United States. U.S. allies in the Gulf acknowledge Iran's increasingly proactive efforts to soften its image and appear less hegemonic; however, Iran's military poses a potential threat to neighboring countries."

[realpatriot]

"God, you dumb hillbilly, ignorant moron. Why would we be concerned? Please tell us.

You are truly an ignorant individual with your head in tha sand. Pull it out, see that 9-11 did occur, and it wasn't the Irish that did it.

[rogator]

"Am I the only one concerned about this John Abizaid?"

Gen. Abizaid is from a Maronite Christian, Lebanese background. He is fine officer and an outstanding American.

[realpatriot]

Thank you for this reply. Information with no name calling. How refreshering.

[Calpernia]

Well, I'm sad to give up Franks; but, that article you posted does make me feel better. Thank you.

[realpatriot]

Thank you. This is the type of information I was seeking!

[realpatriot]

"God, you dumb hillbilly, ignorant moron. Why would we be concerned? Please tell us."

Why do you think I'm a "hillbilly" because I live in Mississippi? Talk about a hypocrit! Why not also call me by the "N" word, huh? Are "rednecks" fair game in your book? Go to hell, hypocrit!

[RedWhiteBlue]

I googled him, and everything I find looks impressive.

According to THIS SOURCE (the Arab-American Institute), Franks had been requesting that Abizaid be assigned as one of his deputies for many months, but Rummy kept on turning him down because Abizaid was in such high demand at the Pentagon.

I found this excerpt to be quite interesting:

"Still, there is little doubt that Gen Abizaid brings a reputation for high intelligence and quick decision-making that will be critical in a war where US troops are likely to be racing towards Baghdad - very unlike the standard slow-moving flanking actions used during the first Gulf war.

His reputation for decisive action was cemented during the 1983 US invasion of Grenada, where, facing a nest of hostile Cuban troops, Captain Abizaid ordered one of his officers to climb aboard a bulldozer, raise its shovel, and drive it towards the enemy while he and his men advanced behind it.

The incident became so celebrated that it was adopted by Clint Eastwood, who gave identical orders during his film about the Grenada invasion, Heartbreak Ridge."

[FairOpinion]

What is your problem with Abizaid?

Rumsfeld knows him better than you do and he has total faith in him, that's why he sent him to Iraq and promoted him to this post.

[b4its2late]

Even Allah can't pull their butts out of the fire....

[Search4Truth]

A review of your posting habits reveals that you are the ignorant one. You have nothing to offer an intelligent and civil discussion, and take every opportunity to insult those with whom you disagree. The misery that is you comes through in your every post.

[realpatriot]

"What is your problem with Abizaid?"

I have no problem with this man. The Arabic name sounded alarms which in true FreeRepublic tradition has been researched and determined to be in line with conservative values. I'm okay with this.

[Bob J]

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[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Why do you think I'm a "hillbilly" because I live in Mississippi? Talk about a hypocrit! Why not also call me by the "N" word, huh? Are "rednecks" fair game in your book? Go to hell, hypocrit!

Im the hyocrit......ME????? This coming from the guy who is wondering if we should worry about a military leader because hes half arab.

I hope you feel dumb

[realpatriot]

You are truly an embarrassment to New Orleans. Please reconcider your freeper name out of concideration to a fine city.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

uhhh, sure

whatever

[Calpernia]

>>>>Franks had been requesting that Abizaid be assigned as one of his deputies for many months, but Rummy kept on turning him down because Abizaid was in such high demand at the Pentagon.

(gives redwhiteblue a BIG virtual hug!)

THANK YOU!!!!

[FairOpinion]

Sorry for the way I phrased my reply, upon reading more I realized that your question and concern was sincere. Most people have heard about Abizaid, his impeccable credentials, the most important of which is that Rumsfeld really likes him.

I suggest you read the article linked in post #27 by RedWhiteBlue, it will give you a much better feel about Abizaid. I was going to post that article myself, but noticed it was already mentioned.

Here is the link to it again:

http://www.aaiusa.org/news/must_read02_22_03.htm

[Calpernia]

BUMP!

[Calpernia]

Thank you! I'm not use to the schedule yet.