DEBKAfile Exclusive: Iran announces test-firing of ballistic Shehab-3 missiles in first hours of new military maneuvers
November 2, 2006, 8:21 PM (GMT+02:00)
Several kinds of short-range missiles were also launched in central desert area of Iran early Thursday, Nov. 2.
DEBKAfileÂ’s military sources report that never before has Iran launched so many missiles of any type at once, as well as successfully test-firing the nuclear-capable, multiple-warhead Shehab-3 for the first time. With a range of more than 2,000 km, it can reach Israel, US forces in the Middle East, its neighbors and as far as W. Europe.
DEBKAfile adds: Iran responded Wednesday night, Nov. 1, to the US-led naval movements and buildup in the in the Red Sea (see separate item) with an announcement by its Revolutionary Guard commander General Rahim Safavi of a big, new naval exercise opening on Nov. 2. Dubbed Great Prophet, the 10-day maneuver will take place in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The RC Air Force would, he said, for the first time test-fire the Shehab-3 (picture of first firing) armed with “a cluster warhead.”
The Shehab-3 is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and believed to have a range of more than 2,000 km. It can reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East.
Our military experts add: This war game will demonstrate whether or not the Shehab-3 stands up to IranÂ’s boasts of its capabilities, including its effective deployment in large numbers. If so, it will pose a lethal strategic threat to Israel, US deployments in the Middle East and IranÂ’s neighbors. IsraelÂ’s Arrow anti-missile missile system, developed for defense against the Shehab, is not capable of fending off an attack by large numbers of multiple-warhead missiles.
