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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Report: Iran ready to use missiles, terror

2006-02-16

Report by independent Oxford Research Group says bombing of Iran by U.S. forces, or Israel, would have to be part of a surprise attack on a range of facilities including urban areas that would catch many Iranians unprotected According to the newspaper, both Israel and the United States do not discount he possibility of a military operation that would sabotage the Iranian nuclear effort should diplomacy fail, but experts warn the Iranian regime could respond in kind by launching strikes in the Middle East or even in America.

American intelligence chief John Negroponte recently presented before Congress an assessment warning Iran could initiate a large-scale confrontation if attacked. The CIA reached the conclusion Iran is gradually boosting its military capabilities, including threats on shipping lanes. However, the most severe threat possessed by Iran comes in the form of non-conventional weapons, including long-range Shahab 3 missiles, which are capable of carrying chemical warheads. Currently, Iran is also developing new missiles with an even longer range. In 2001, Iran also purchased at least twelve X-55 cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and reaching as far as Italy. The Boston Globe says Iran has at least 20 missile launchers that are constantly being moved around the country in order to prevent detection.

Meanwhile, Negroponte warned Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces are present in Iraq and could initiate a revolution there through guerilla warfare, with the assistance of the country's Shiite majority. According to intelligence reports, Iran may also make use of Hizbullah in order to carry out attacks against American interests worldwide, including in the U.S.

Posted by:Besoeker

#6 ..but experts warn the Iranian regime could respond in kind by launching strikes in the Middle East or even in America.

That would be very, VERY unwise.

Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2006-02-16 23:24

#5 The MM's may be ready to sign their death warrant, but they'll never sleep peacefully.
Isaiah 28
You boast, We have entered into a covenant with death,with the grave we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place. So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
See, I lay a stone in Zion,a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who trusts will never be dismayed...hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,and water will overflow your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the grave will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,you will be beaten down by it. As often as it comes it will carry you away;morning after morning, by day and by night,it will sweep through. The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.

Posted by: Danielle 2006-02-16 11:48

#4 Grrrr!! WoooofWoofwoofwoofwooooof! GrrrrWooof!

Posted by: Perfesser 2006-02-16 09:16

#3 Shahab 3B: an Advanced IRBM with Range of 2000 km
During the recent testing the Shahab-3B proved several significant differences over the basic production variant, with the most important changes being done on its guidance system and the warhead, but few small also on the missile body.

The most significant change is a new re-entry vehicle, with terminal guidance system and a new steering method, completely different from the normal re-entry vehicle with spin stabilization of the Shahab-3A.

The new re-entry vehicle has now place for a rocket-nozzle control system so that no spin stabilization is needed anymore - at least not during all of the flight after the boost phase. Nevertheless, this new nozzle-control system enables the Shahab-3B guidance and steering in all phases of the flight, so that course corrections can be done at any time. The missile could change its trajectory several times during re-entry and even terminal phase, effectively preventing pre-calculated intercept points of radar systems - which is a method nearly all ABM systems using these days. As a high-speed ballistic missile and pre-mission fuelling capability, the Shahab-3 has an extremely short launch/impact time ratio. This means that the INS/gyroscope guidance would also remain relatively accurate until impact (important, given the fact that the gyrosopes tend to become inaccurate the longer the flight lasts). With that guidance system, the Shahab-3B could archive an accuracy of around 30-50m CEP or even less. The Iranians have already proved of developing even more precise systems, then their Fateh-110 missiles have an electro-optical terminal guidance system: Shahab-3B is not known of having anything similar, but should be fully dependent on INS and likely GPS.

This new improved accuracy was apparently the reason why the warhead weight has been significantly decreased - to suggested 500kg. This, namely, is sufficient for pin-point target attack capability. Another reason for the 500kg warhead would be the improved range, which is reported to be meanwhile between 1.700 and 2.500km.

While excellent for delivering nuclear warheads, using it for anything less would only open them for attack without much gain. 500kg is small for conventional explosives (V-2 had 1000kg)and would not be effective delivery system for enough gas to be more than a terror weapon. You need a large volume of agent dispersed over a wide area to be effective. I don't know how much you could get into a Shahab-3 re-entry vehicle, but looking at the size photos, I'd be surprised if it was more than 40 gallons. Then you need to disperse it at the right altitude, etc. All one would do would be to sign their death warrant.

Posted by: Steve 2006-02-16 08:32

#2 >CORRECTION< from above...after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sorry.

Posted by: smn 2006-02-16 02:53

#1 No sweat, the mad mullahs will simply have to realize like the japanese general before wwII, that this time the sleeping giant will not only be awake but double daring with a little toothpick on his shoulder! No mercy, no pity, no remorse.

Posted by: smn 2006-02-16 02:05

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