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Iranian Missile May Threaten Europe
By GEORGE GEDDA
.c The Associated Press
May 8, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - Iran's Shahab-4 missile could be upgraded to reach Italy, Germany, Poland, the Czech
Republic, Hungary and Greece, a senior Bush administration official says.
The development is worrisome to U.S. officials because Iran has been viewed by the State Department as the
world's most active terrorist country. President Bush has identified Iran among three ``axis of evil''
members, with Iraq and North Korea.
Despite the emerging capability, an Iranian attack against American allies in Europe is considered highly
unlikely because most of these countries maintain normal ties with Tehran, which they believe can help
moderate Iran's behavior.
Iran has been developing the missile with help from Russia and other countries. It would initially have a
1,250-mile range, but expected upgrades would give it the ability to strike NATO countries in Europe.
Older-generation Iranian missiles, including the Shahab-3, have shorter ranges and are capable of reaching
Israel, Turkey and U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia.
A U.S. defense official said Tuesday the Shahab-3 has a mixed record in tests and isn't thought to be
completely reliable.
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani, quoted by Iran's state-run radio Tuesday, said Iran was taking steps
to improve ``the destructive power, accuracy and range'' of the Shahab-3.
Iran seems increasingly confident about its military prowess. This was apparent when strains developed with
Israel after Israel's interception in January of a shipment of Iranian weapons to Palestinian areas.
At one point, Shamkhani warned that if Israel ``carries out any military action against Iran, the response
will be beyond the imagination of any Israeli politician.''
Iran's missile development is proceeding hand-in-hand with efforts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical
weapons, U.S. officials say.
The senior official, commenting on condition of anonymity, said Iran's military buildup cannot be justified as
a defense against neighbor and longtime rival Iraq, pointing out that the missiles Iran is developing could
fly well beyond Iraq.
In a speech Monday, Undersecretary of State John Bolton highlighted Iran's progress in developing biological
and chemical weapons. He also alluded to its ``ongoing interest in nuclear weapons, and its aggressive
ballistic missile research, development and flight-testing regimen.''
A CIA report issued this year said Iran has been receiving missile equipment, technology and related expertise
from Russia, North Korea and China.
Russia's role in assisting Iran seems at odds with the strong expressions of friendship and confidence
Washington and Moscow have been demonstrating toward each other lately.
The mutual regard was evident last week during the visit to Washington of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov
and is expected to be on display when President Bush travels to Moscow on May 23 for a summit meeting with
President Vladimir Putin.
Each side ascribes good will to the other even as disagreements remain, including U.S. doubts about Russian
compliance with biological and chemical weapons treaties.
The administration has been highlighting the positive aspects of the relationship with Moscow while making
only infrequent references to its concerns about Russia's ties with Iran.
The senior official who spoke about Iran, however, said these links are a serious problem, ``a piece of
baggage that weighs down the relationship'' with Russia.
``We're concerned that Russian technology and expertise is helping Iran to increase the accuracy and distance
of their missiles, and that Russian technology and expertise is helping Iran develop fissile material,'' the
official said.
On the Net:
State Department's Iran page:
http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2404.htm
Bolton's Monday speech: http://www.state.gov/t/us/rm/9962.htm
SOURCE:
The Associated Press |
