Washington, November 20
Despite decades of sanctions, Iran has succeeded in developing its missile arsenal, which is larger than that of any other Middle Eastern country, including Israel, a Pentagon study said on Tuesday.
“Iran has an extensive missile development program, and the size and sophistication of its missile force continues to grow despite decades of counter-proliferation efforts aimed at curbing its advancement,” the Defence Intelligence Agency said.
The study said Iran considered missiles to be a strategic necessity due to the limitations of its air force, which still had some US planes ordered by the pro-Western Shah, who was toppled in 1979.
“Lacking a modern air force, Iran has embraced ballistic missiles as a long-range strike capability to dissuade its adversaries in the region -- particularly the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia -- from attacking Iran,” the report said.
Iran has “the largest missile force in the Middle East”, the report said. A US intelligence official said, on condition of anonymity, that the assessment included Israel.
The report said Iran had developed a series of missiles that could strike at a distance of 2,000 kilometres -- capable of reaching Israel or Saudi Arabia. AFP