The Iranian Shahab-3/Zelzal-3 [alternatively designated Zelzal (Earthquake)] missile is said to be a derivative of the 1,000-1,300 kilometer range North Korean Nodong-1.
It is interesting to note that the Nodong missile was developed by North Korea with Iranian financial assistance.
The Shahab-3 missile can have a 500kg-650kg warhead. The range is believed to be 1550km-1620km (based on performance data of the No-dong B). More specifically it is believed that with a warhead mass of 760kg the missile will fly 1560km and with a warhead mass of 1158kg the missile will fly 1350km. Although not verified this data would seem to indicate that they are working on the Shahab-4 with a 2000km+ range and would be a derivative of the Taepo-dong 1. In late July 2005 Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said the Shihab-3 contained a range of 1,930 kilometers, a major increase from the previous version of the missile, which had a range of 1,300 kilometers. He said the Shihab-3 developed and tested in 2004 significantly increased the range of the missile. Shamkhani was quoted by Radio Farda as saying that the liquid-fuel Shihab could also be fitted with a nuclear warhead. Technical information regarding the Shahab-3 was obtained through Global Security.OrgIran warns US, Britain of reprisals as reported by the ASSOCIATED PRESS:
TEHRAN, Iran Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Saturday warned the United States and Britain that Iran would respond with its missiles if attacked, a clear threat to Israel, which lies within easy range of such a launch. See the Jerusalem Post article for specific details: Safavi Warns United States and BritianThe Shahab-3 is a direct threat to our military forces in the Middle East, Isreal, and also a direct threat to developing countries of the region.
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