Global Security Newswire

Iran is preparing to augment its missile systems, a leading lawmaker said yesterday (see GSN, Jan. 4).

"We do not conceal the fact that we seek to boost the power of our missile systems," Iran's Fars News Agency quoted parliament speaker Ali Larijani, the nation's former top nuclear negotiator, as saying. "As long as the U.S. and the [Israeli] regime threaten us, we will work on our missile systems which are used for defensive purposes" (Fars News Agency, Jan. 4).

Larijani's remarks corroborated suspicions shared by Western observers that Iran's short- and medium-range missiles could reach Israel and some of Europe, according to Voice of America.

Iran's missile upgrades would address such components as launchpads, target identification and guidance systems, Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said (Voice of America, Jan. 4).