Shahab-3 missile threat

Author Jerome Corsi's 2005 release "Atomic Iran" is proving to be a crystal ball of predictions about Iran. Recall recent posts in Rumors of War about the Shahab-3 missile[alternatively designated Zelzal [(Earthquake)] .

Recent developments lead on to believe that it is now solid-fuel ready and cuts launch time. Because of the solid fuel capablity, the IRIS, one stage, 3000 km, Shahab-3D missile will be harder to hit by the Patriot and Arrow anti-missile systems. And, unfortunately the Shahab-3 will easily reach Tel Aviv. Source: IRIS Solid Motor Program

"When Corsi wrote "Atomic Iran," he predicted that the negotiations with the EU-3 would fail," Corsi told WND. "Iran's continued efforts to develop atomic weapons secretly would leave no alternative except to take Iran before the Security Council for additional sanctions. Corsi also predicted that the United Nations would not be able to do anything effective to stop Iran. " Sure looks like Corsi was right on the button with recent developments.

According to a study published by Marshall Institute:

The new generation of Third World missiles have longer ranges and therefore higher re-entry speeds – and of course also more destructive warheads. One reason why anyone might fire a missile with a maximum range of, say, 3000 km, at a target that is only 500 km away is that such a missile would arrive at its target after having reached a height of about 1200 km – roughly the height reached by intercontinental missiles. Like them, it would arrive at speeds of typically over 6 km/sec. That is three times the speed of Scuds, and about twice the speed of the targets that Arrow is designed to handle. Source: Marshall Institute

And, from Jane's Defence Section:

Iran is believed to have six operational Shahab 3 brigades, the first of which was established in July 2003. These are mainly equipped with standard variants, but with others described as 'enhanced Shahab', with ranges of 1,300 km-1,500 km and 2,000 km respectively. (Jane's) According to Iranian Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani, "A missile using liquid fuel is short-lived. You can use it for a limited time. Solid fuel makes the missile durable and dramatically increases its accuracy." (Jane's)

When one throws Russian, North Korean and Chinese missle technology together and places it in the hands of lunatics, we are courting disaster. This missile technology will give countries like Iran the capablity to reach Europe and capablity breach U.S. TBM defenses.

In 2005, Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, U.S. Navy, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, testified that "We judge Iran will have the technical capability to develop an ICBM by 2015." Source: National Intelligence Council