No New Shahab-3 -- New York Times

The New York Times is reporting today that Iran did not launch a new variant of Shahab-3 as claimed.

“Iran’s missile test this week did not demonstrate any new capabilities, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence, and the test may not have included one of the longer-range missiles Iran claims as among those launched,” The New York Times reported on 12 July.

Iranian officials claimed the tests demonstrated a new variant of the Shahab missile that had a range of 1,250 miles. Such a missile would put Israel in striking distance.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the test should still be taken seriously.

“They were not testing new technologies or capabilities, but rather firing off old equipment in an attempt to intimidate their neighbors and escalate tensions in the region,” Morrell said [The New York Times, 12 July].