Iran's Ballistic Missile Programs: An Overview

Abstract

Iran has an active interest in developing, acquiring, and deploying a broad range of ballistic missiles. This was spotlighted in mid-July 2008 when Iran launched a number of ballistic missiles during military exercises, reportedly including the medium-range Shahab-3. On July 18, 2008, a Pentagon spokesman said Iran was "not testing new technologies or capabilities, but rather firing off old equipment in an attempt to intimidate their neighbors and escalate tension in the region." Subsequent analysis of the July 2008 missile launches also shows Iran apparently digitally altered images of those launches. This short report seeks to provide an overview of the reported or suspected variety of Iranian ballistic missile programs. Because there remains widespread public divergence over particulars, however, this report does not provide specificity to what Iran may or may not have, or is in the process of developing. This report may be updated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 21, 2008
Accession Number
ADA485863

Entities

People

  • Steven A. Hildreth

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Cruise Missiles
  • Guided Missiles
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles
  • International Security
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Medium Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Military Exercises
  • North Korea
  • Rockets
  • Security
  • Short Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • United States
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security
  • Strategic Security Studies