Editing Shahab-3 (section)

==History, development and tests==
[[File:Great Prophet II (84).jpg|thumb|280px|The "Great Prophet II" test, 2 November 2006.]]
During the early 1990s Iran began to shift from the acquirement of ballistic missiles to their production through a well documented technological partnership with [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korea]],<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International, ABC CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |pages=110}}</ref> despite its denial by Iranian foreign ministry official Hassan Taherian, in February 1995.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International ; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=107}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 4, 1995 |title=Flashpoints: Iran |journal=Jane's Defense Weekly |pages=18}}</ref> The main reason for this transition was to minimalise the effects of [[International sanctions against Iran|sanctions]] and [[interdiction]]s posed by the [[United States|USA]], as well as [[Embargo against Iran|military embargoes]] and international actions against Iran.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International, ABC CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |pages=109}}</ref> According to Seitz and [[Anthony Cordesman|Cordesman]], another possible reason was the fact that more capable long-range missiles are necessary for deploying heavy [[nuclear weapon]]s, and would allow Iran to threaten targets outside the region, intimidate the US and prevent them from taking military action against Iran.<ref name=":2" />

Based on the designs of the [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korean]] [[No-Dong|No-Dong medium range ballistic missile]], which some analysts suggest was developed with Iranian financial support, Iran manufactured the Shahab-3. And while Iran claimed that its purpose was to deliver [[Conventional weapon|conventional payloads]], it is more likely that it was meant to carry [[Biological warfare|biological]], [[Chemical warfare|chemical]] and [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear]] weapons.<ref name=":2" />

=== Timeline ===
In October 1997 Russia commenced training Iranian engineers in missile production, for the Shahab-3 missile system.<ref name=":32"/>

Iran has conducted at least six test flights of the Shahab-3. During the first one, in July 1998, the missile reportedly exploded in mid-air during the latter portion of its flight. U.S. officials wondered whether the test was a failure or the explosion was intentional. A second, successful test, using a North Korean engine, took place in July 2000.<ref name="proliferation" /><ref name=":32"/>

In September 2000, Iran conducted a third test, in which the missile reportedly exploded shortly after launch.

In May 2002, Iran conducted another successful test, leading then-Iranian Defense Minister [[Ali Shamkhani]] to say the test improved the Shahab-3's "power and accuracy".

Another successful test reportedly occurred in July 2002.

On 7 July 2003, the foreign ministry spokesman said that Iran had completed a final test of the Shahab 3 "a few weeks ago", that was "the final test before delivering the missile to the armed forces", according to a ''[[New York Times]]'' report.<ref>{{cite news|work=New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E6DF153DF93BA35754C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon= |title=Iran confirms test of missile that is able to hit Israel |access-date=2008-07-09 |date=2003-07-08}}</ref> Additionally, allegations regarding Chinese assistance in resolving the missile's final technical issues began to emerge. Shahab-3 missiles were displayed openly in military parades, production was said to have begun at a rate of several per month and they were introduced into service.<ref name=":32"/>

In September 2003 Shahab-3 missiles were displayed on mobile launchers in a military parade and were claimed to have a range of 1000&nbsp;km.<ref name=":32"/>

On 11 August 2004, the design of the Shahab-3 missile was modified (often referred to as Shahab-3M). The "Cone-shaped" warhead was replaced with a smaller "Bottleneck" warhead, the latter having a slower reentry and being advantageous when carrying chemical and biological agents, as well as being more suitable for carrying a nuclear payload.<ref name=":32"/> Another variant may include a larger fin, an airframe shorter by 1 m and a range of less than 1500&nbsp;km.<ref name=":32"/>

On 19 September 2004, a subsequent test was conducted, followed by a parade on September 21, 2004, during which missiles were covered in banners proclaiming "We will crush America under our feet."<ref name=":32"/>

In November 2004, Shamkhani said Iran could mass-produce the missile.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Janes Defence Weekly |title=Iran begins serial production of Shahab-3 |url=http://www.janes.com/extract/jmr2001/jmr00472.html |access-date=2008-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804152108/http://www.janes.com/extract/jmr2001/jmr00472.html |archive-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref>

On 31 May 2005, Shamkhani declared that a new missile motor, using solid fuel technology and capable of carrying a payload of 700&nbsp;kg over a distance of 1500–2000&nbsp;km was successfully tested.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International ; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=111}}</ref>

In September 2005 two new variants of the Shahab-3, with three metre long triconic ("Baby-bottle") [[Nose cone|nose-cones]], were tested and displayed publicly. Experts are in disagreement with regard to their intended purpose. Some are of the opinion that they are to carry a warhead of the [[Air burst|air-burst]] type, geared toward the dispersal of chemical and biological agents, while others believe it is better suited for a nuclear payload.<ref name=":4" />

On 16 February 2006 it was reported that Iran had successfully test-launched four missiles, one of which was the Shahab-3 with a range of 1300&nbsp;km and another was the [[Shahab-4]] with a range of 2200&nbsp;km.<ref name=":4" />

On 7 April 2006 The London Telegraph reported that Iran had modified the nose cone of the Shahab-3 to carry a nuclear warhead such as that [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|manufactured by Pakistan]] - the designs of which Iran is rumoured to possess.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coughlin |first=Con |date=7 April 2006 |title=Iran Has Missiles to Carry Nuclear Warheads |work=The London Telegraph}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

On 2 November 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of military [[Military Simulation|war games]]. Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including [[Shahab-2]] and Shahab-3 missiles. The missiles had ranges from {{convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}} to up to {{convert|2000|km|mi|abbr=on}}...Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster [[warhead]]s in them with the capacity to carry 1,400 bombs". These launches came after some [[United States]]-led military exercises in the [[Persian Gulf]] on 30 October 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of [[weapons of mass destruction]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Iran fires unarmed missiles|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html|agency=[[Reuters]]|publisher=CNN|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102164032/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html|archive-date=2 November 2006|date=2 November 2006}}</ref>

===2008 Great Prophet III test===
{{main|Great Prophet III}}
[[File:Great Prophet IV (16).jpg|thumb|A Shahab-3 on a launcher at Iran's Great Prophet IV military exercise]]
On 8 July 2008,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/09/africa/09iran-cnd.php|title=Iran tests missiles amid tension over nuclear program|last=Cowell|first=Alan|author-link=Alan Cowell|date=2008-07-09|work=[[International Herald Tribune]]|access-date=2008-07-10}}</ref> Iran test fired a non-upgraded version of the Shahab-3, as one of 9 medium- and long-range missiles launched as part of the [[Great Prophet III]] exercise.

Other missiles fired include the surface-to-surface [[Fateh-110]] and [[Zelzal]] missiles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1092.html|title=Iran test-fires upgraded Shahab-3 missile|publisher=Payvand|access-date=2008-07-09|date=2008-07-09}}</ref> [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] air and naval units conducted these tests in a desert location.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/iran-test-fires-shahab-3-long-range-missile_10069433.html|title=Iran test-fires Shahab-3 long-range missile|date=2008-07-09|agency=[[RIA Novosti]]|publisher=Thaindian News|access-date=2008-07-09}}</ref> Air Force commander Hossein Salami said that "Iran was ready to retaliate to military threats... we warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch".<ref>{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Scott|title=Confrontation escalates between Iran and Israel|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2008/0710/p01s13-wome.html|access-date=27 February 2014|newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=10 July 2008}}</ref>

On 9 July 2008, Iran allegedly tested a version of the Shahab-3 in the [[Strait of Hormuz]], which Iran has threatened to shut down traffic into if it is attacked. Arms control analyst [[Jeffrey Lewis (academic)|Jeffrey Lewis]] analyzed Iranian launch footage and concluded that Iranian claims of testing an upgraded Shahab missile were unfounded.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hess|first=Pamela|title=Official: Iran missile tests used 'old equipment'|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0|publisher=[[The AP]]|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715041722/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0|archive-date=15 July 2008|date=12 July 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  A senior Republican Guard commander said Iran would maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. According to the Israeli newspaper ''[[Haaretz]]'' and the French news agency [[Agence France-Presse]], which published pictures from the missile test,  "Iran had apparently doctored photographs of missile test-firings and exaggerated the capabilities of the weapons", and an additional missile was added afterwards to cover up a failed launch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1000992.html|title=Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch?|work=[[Haaretz]]|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]|access-date=2008-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724100930/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1000992.html|archive-date=24 July 2008|date=11 July 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>