Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 58, June 2001

News Review

Iran Tests New Missile

On May 31, Iran announced the successful test-firing of a new guided missile, the Fateh (Victorious) 110. While providing no details of the missile's range, a statement delivered on state television and radio described the new weapon as "a super-modern surface-to-surface missile" which was "classified among Iran's most efficient missiles because of its high precision in destroying targets." The same day, Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani told Reuters: "All our cities are within range of missiles of neighbouring countries. You will agree there is no other option to prevent [attack]... Don't worry, we are reasonable people. We have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and we will not try at all to subvert them. ... [Others] are making propaganda about our efforts to provide our nuclear energy..." Also on May 31, US National Security Council spokesperson Ellen Countryman told reporters: "We have long-standing concerns about Iran's proliferation behaviour, including its missile development and weapons of mass destruction programmes... Iran's missile programme has benefited from extensive foreign assistance, including from North Korea..."

Notes: on June 15, the Washington Post reported high-level protest from Washington to Moscow over a Russian shipment of high-strength aluminium which Bush administration officials fear may be used in uranium enrichment. See Documents and Sources for comment on the story from Secretary of State Powell.

Reports: Iran says tests first locally made guided missile, Reuters, May 31; Iran test-fires new home-made guided missile, Reuters, May 31; Iran says it tested missile, Associated Press, May 31; US repeats concerns about Iran's missile program, Reuters, May 31; US, Russia at odds on Iranian deal, Washington Post, June 15; Post - US suspects Iran getting nuclear components, Reuters, June 15.