November 27, 2007 :: Reuters :: News
On November 27, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced that Iran had developed a new ballistic missile called the Ashoura, with a range of 2,000 kilometers. It is unclear whether the Ashoura is indeed a new missile or a variation of the current Shahab-3, and Najjar did not say how the new weapon differed from the Shahab-3, which Iran has also previously claimed to have a range of 2,000km. With a range of 2,000 kilometers, the Ashoura missile could target Israel, U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf, and parts of eastern and southern Europe.
Mark Fitzpatrick, a weapons expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said, "I think it's a pretty strong likelihood that Iran has received technology that has extended the range of their missiles, and maybe the development of a whole new missile with a longer range." Israeli experts said that unlike the Shahab series, the Ashoura uses a multi-stage, solid-fuel engine that would make it especially effective for long-range strategic use.
Iran unveiled another new missile, Ghadr-1, with a range of 1,800 km at a military parade in September and, at that time, referred to the Shahab-3 as having a range of just 1,300 km. Najjar also said a new Iranian-built submarine would be delivered to the navy on Wednesday. (Article)
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