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08/11/2004:

"Iran Tests Missile Capable of Hitting Israel"

New York Times
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran said on Wednesday it carried out a successful field test of the latest version of its Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile, which defense experts say can reach Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf.

Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said last week Iran was working to improve the range and accuracy of the Shahab-3 in response to Israel's moves to boost its anti-missile capability.

The Defense Ministry, in a brief statement carried on the official news agency IRNA, said the test of the new Shahab-3 ``was carried out successfully ... The pre-determined targets were hit in the testing,'' it said.

Iran says its missile program is purely for deterrent purposes. Tehran also denies U.S. and Israeli accusations that it is seeking to develop nuclear warheads which could be delivered by the Shahab-3.

In Washington, the State Department said Iran's attempts to improve its missile capability were a threat to the region and U.S. interests.

``We will continue to take steps to address Iran's missile efforts, and to work closely with other like-minded countries in doing so,'' State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said.

Based on the North Korean Nodong-1 and modified with Russian technology, the Shahab-3 is thought to have a range of 810 miles, which would allow it to strike anywhere in Israel.

Shahab means meteor in Persian.

Amid media speculation that Israel may try to halt Iran's nuclear program by carrying out air strikes on some atomic facilities in Iran, Iranian officials have said Tehran would retaliate promptly and strongly to any such attack.

TOUGH TALK

``If Israel behaves like a lunatic and attacks the Iranian nation's interests, we will come down on their heads like a mallet and break their bones,'' the ISNA students news agency quoted Revolutionary Guards Commander Yahya Rahim Safavi as saying on Wednesday. full article

Well this is not a starving country with a military bombed into submission every day for 10 years. It is certainly not irrational for the Iranians to believe that the fix is in. Even the Congressional declaration of war on Iraq contains ominous statements about Iran.