Russia adds range to Iran's latest missiles (up to 1,300 miles)

By Philip Sherwell, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
The Telegraph 10 November 2002

Iran has been supplied by Russia with powerful new technology and parts for
long-range missiles that will put Israel and the whole of the Middle East -
including British and US forces in the region - within its reach, The
Telegraph has learned.

The missiles' range of up to 1,300 miles would also allow Iran to strike
parts of North Africa and of south-eastern Europe.
Successful test-firings were conducted this summer with the help of Russian
and North Korean scientists at a desert range in central Iran, according to
the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and American
intelligence.
Teheran has been pressing ahead with its plans to become an international
missile power in tandem with its efforts to develop compatible chemical
warheads.

The revelations about Moscow's new role in building the military strength of
a state named as part of the "axis of evil" by President Bush follow
American anger earlier this year when it emerged that Russia was building a
new Iranian light-water nuclear power reactor. The plant is seen as a front
for gaining nuclear weapons expertise.

The NCRI has been told by its contacts within the regime that Teheran twice
successfully test-fired the new Shahab 4 missiles this summer in front of
the country's military leaders. Although Iran is widely believed to be
working secretly on the Shahab 4 project, the Pentagon believes that the
recent tests involved an upgraded version of the Shahab 3 missile. Ali
Shamkhani, the Iranian defence minister, insisted that the recent tests
featured the existing version of Shahab 3, which can strike targets about
800 miles away. Shahab 4 would have a range of about 1,300 miles, while it
is not known how far the upgraded Shahab 3 could reach.

Western and Israeli intelligence and the Iranian opposition have received
fresh details of the crucial contribution of Russian, North Korean and
Chinese scientists and companies in Teheran's missile programme, though Iran
routinely denies receiving foreign assistance.

The Shahab 3, based on the North Korean Nodong missile, suffered two failed
test launches out of three in 1998 and 2000. US intelligence believes that
the Russians have provided Iran with a powerful new motor to replace at
least one of the Nodong engines, making the upgraded Shahab 3 a
Russian-North Korean hybrid.

The new Shahab 4 is based on the old Soviet SS-4 missile and uses entirely
Russian technology. The Russians have also provided high-grade steel and
special alloys for the Shahab 4 missile casing and for foil shielding around
guidance systems.

Teheran has signed a $7 million (£4.6 million) contract with a Russian
company for the transfer of SS-4 missile parts to Teheran, according to
documents seen by the NCRI.

The deal demolishes Iranian claims that they are not working on the Shahab
4. Mr Shamkhani had boasted that Iran was working on Shahab 4 in 2000, but
then retracted his remarks after condemnation by America and the EU.
Since then, Teheran has insisted that there is no Shahab 4. The White House
is urging Russia to reduce its co-operation with Iran. Moscow publicly
denies supplying the Iranians with missile technology.

When presented with evidence of the deals, Russian officials insisted that
individual companies were acting without authorisation.