Iran has become one of the major proliferators of weapons and technology to terrorist organizations. Iran’s continued and open development and refinement of ballistic missile technology poses a serious threat to both the Middle East and Europe. Currently, Iran is pursuing a civilian nuclear program, which is shrouded in mystery, that could have possible military applications. This uncertainty, coupled with Iran’s rhetoric involving their nuclear program gives the world cause for concern.
Iran's growing m
issile and nuclear programs have triggered actions in the U.S. silo-based missile interceptor launched in Poland and tracking radar in Czech Republic designed to defend against potential Iranian ballistic missiles. This initial strategy has been altered by the Obama administration into the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) which over a the next ten years aspires on installing Early Intercept capabilities in Europe. This new approach is in development to counter Iran’s missile threat using spiral development that includes existing capabilities such as SM-3 and rapid-ground base missile development.
Iran’s ballistic missiles could be used as a political weapon against rival states. Iran continues to flaunt its arsenals with acts of intimidation like the 10-day war drills executed that began at the end of June 2011.
Utility of Iran’s missiles are limited due to poor accuracy and TELs availability and delays. These latest war games, code-named 'Great Prophet 6', coordinated and fired 14 missiles to promote the 'made in Iran' label, but also unveiled an expected look at the newest underground silos. The rounds fired included 9 unguided Zilzals, 2 Shahab-1 (Scud B), 2 Shahab-2 (Scud C), and one old version of Shahab 3. Launching these missiles, that are meant for different types of target, show the intimidation-factor for the West to see.
Iran's message was one growing self-sufficiency despite of UN security council sanctions. There's little direct evidence about how much of Iran's military arsenal is now built at home, but many defense analysts note that Iranian engineers have had decades to copy and modify designs first obtained from abroad, including No-Dong missiles from North Korea and air defense batteries based on Russia's S-300 system and America's Hawk missiles purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Investments to develop local liquid-propellant missile industry began with their missile purchases in the 1980’s.
Their objective to develop the Shahab-3 without assistance resulted in the production of the longer-range Ghadr-1. Iran’s ability to produce and improve their technologies has been steadily increasing over the years.
Iran’s ability to produce new liquid-propellant missiles is constrained by their ability to develop new liquid-propellant engines. Seeing that Iran’s primary supplies of such engines are Russia and Ukraine who follow Missile Technology Control Guidelines, they must rely on themselves. Building a missile with a longer-range requires building a larger missile. The most logical configuration for Iran to produce a long-range weapon is to produce liquid-propellant missile or a space-launch vehicle with better performance.
Iran’s History and steady missile and space launcher developments suggests that Tehran would develop an intermediate-range missile before attempting to design a programme to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. based on No-dong and Scud technologies. Iran is approximately a decade away from obtaining an ICBM.
Distance between Tehran and some of the United States military bases.
The distance from
Tehra
n to our military bases in Baghdad, Iraq is a
round
712 kilometers or 442 miles
; to
Kuwait City is 784 kilometers or 487 miles; to Manama, Bahrain is 1062 kilometers or 660 miles; to Kandahar, Afghanistan (near Helmand) 1394 kilometers or 866 miles; to Doha, Qatar, the distance is around 1164 kilometers or 723 miles.
A
ccording to the INF Treaty, a Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) is defined as one with a "range capability equal to or in excess of 500 kilometers but not in excess of 1000 kilometers", while the Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) ranges from 1000kilometers up to 5500kilometers.
Iran has stated that it already possesses missiles with ranges up to 1,240 miles or 2,000 kilometers.
Though the distances listed on our website represent theoretical air distances and flight trajectories may vary, further advancement of Iranian weapon capabilities
places our allies as well as our bases in the Gulf in great danger..
Updated: July 19, 2011