US confirms Iran has deployed missile capable or reaching Israel, Russia
WorldTribune, BACKGROUNDER:
Compiled by Bill Gertz 7.30.2003
U.S. officials have confirmed claims by Iran that its military has deployed the new Shihab-3 long-range missile with the Islamic shock troops for the first time.
Iran's official Voice of the Islamic Republic Radio reported July 20 that the missiles were turned over to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Also supplied were Su-25 jet fighters and transport and attack helicopters.
The deployment represents a major advance in Iran's power projection since the country previously had only short-range missiles similar to 180-mile Scuds.
The Shihab-3 ballistic missile (Shihab in Farsi means meteor shooting star) is a road mobile medium-range missile with a range of up to 930 miles. It is believed capable of carrying a 2,200-pound warhead. The missile is based on the design of the North Korean Nodong missile.
http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/.