Iran Says Shihab Can Reach Nearly 2,000 KM

Middle East Newsline:

Iran has asserted that its enhanced Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile can strike targets at distances of nearly 2,000 kilometers. Officials said the Shihab-3 developed and tested in 2004 significantly increased the range of the missile. They said the missile could also deliver a weapons of mass destruction payload.

Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani outlined the capabilities of the Shihab-3 in interviews and statements over the last week. Shamkhani said the Shihab-3 contained a range of 1,930 kilometers, a major increase from the previous version of the missile, which had a range of 1,300 kilometers.

Shamkhani, who has said he would soon step down from his post, was quoted by Radio Farda as saying that the liquid-fuel Shihab could also be fitted with a nuclear warhead. He said Iran could strike any Israeli or U.S. base in the Middle East.

So the defense minister says the missile could house a nuclear warhead. But I thought the government said they aren't developing a nuclear weapon? Hmmm.