Iran now aims for a long-range missile system

WASHINGTON, July 29: Iran could deploy a long-range missile in two to five years that would be more threatening than the medium-range missile it tested last week, a senior US official has said.

Assistant secretary of state Martin Indyk said yesterday the US will redouble its efforts to curb the transfer of technology Iran will need to deploy the long-range missile, Shahab 4. Indyk, who heads the state department8217;s Middle East bureau, said the administration was not surprised by Iran8217;s test of the medium-range Shahab 3 missile, capable of reaching Israel and US soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia. The weapon is not yet ready for deployment.

Indyk said Shahab 4 will present an even greater threat than Shahab 3, which has a range of about 1,300 km. Iran has said the weapon will be used for defensive purposes only. 8220;It is difficult to imagine8221; that Iran will give up its goal of developing weapons of mass destruction, mindful that such armaments are possessed by neighbouring countries such as Iraq andPakistan, Indyk said. He added that Iran8217;s weapons programmes likely will continue regardless of the outcome of the ongoing struggle between the Islamic fundamentalists and reformists.