Iran Builds New Medium-Range Missile, Official Says

Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said today that Iran has created a new missile capable of reaching Israeli targets and U.S. bases in the Middle East, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Sept. 24).

Iranian state media reported that the new “Ashura” missile has a range of 1,240 miles, making it Iran’s longest-range missile.

“The construction of the Ashura missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers is one of the accomplishments of the Ministry of Defense,” state media quoted Najjar as saying.

Iran provided conflicting reports on its other longer-range missile, the Shahab 3, in the past.  Military officials first said the missile had a 1,100-mile range, but it was said to have only an 800-miles when it shown off at a military parade in September (Stuart Williams, Agence France-Presse/Google News, Nov. 27).

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