[Mb-civic] FW: Rafsanjani Now Threatens Europe

[Golsorkhi]

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From: Shahla Samii <shahla at thesamiis.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 23:48:28 -0400
Subject: Rafsanjani Now Threatens Europe


washingtonpost.com

Iran's Missiles Can Now Hit Europe, Ex-Official Says


  Reuters
  Wednesday, October 6, 2004; Page A21

  TEHRAN, Oct. 5 -- Iran has increased the range of its missiles to
1,250 miles, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Tuesday,
putting parts of Europe within reach for the first time.

  Military analysts had estimated Iran's missile range at 810 miles,
which would allow it to strike anywhere in Israel. But Iran's official
Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the
country's influential former president and the head of a government
oversight body, as saying: "Now we have the power to launch a missile
with a 2,000-kilometer range. Iran is determined to improve its
military capabilities."

  "If the Americans attack Iran, the world will change. . . . They will
not dare to make such a mistake," Rafsanjani was quoted as saying in a
speech at a national security exhibition.

  The United States, which has accused Iran of secretly developing
nuclear weapons, expressed "serious concerns about Iran's missile
programs."

  "We view Iran's efforts to further develop its missile capabilities as
a threat to the region and to the United States interests, and all the
more so in light of its ongoing nuclear program," a State Department
spokesman, J. Adam Ereli, said in Washington.

Ereli declined to say whether the United States believed Rafsanjani's
claim, saying he could not discuss intelligence matters.

  Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity.
It says its missiles are for defensive purposes and would be used to
counter a possible Israeli or U.S. strike against its nuclear
facilities.

In recent months, Iranian officials have frequently trumpeted their
ability to strike back at any aggressor, and in August they announced
they had successfully tested an upgraded version of the medium-range
Shahab-3 missile. Analysts say the unmodified Shahab-3 had a range of
810 miles.

Israel has long accused Iran of working on a long-range missile, the
Shahab-4, which would be able to reach Europe. Iran denies plans to
build a Shahab-4 missile.

While Iran has had Israel in missile range for some time, Israeli
officials said the range described by Rafsanjani was more significant
for Europe than for Israel.

  "We are well prepared to defend the state of Israel. . . . The
Iranians will have to think twice before using these kinds of weapons,"
a senior Israeli official said.

  © 2004 The Washington Post Company
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