AFF/ROGUE STATES/IRAN

IRAN WANTS AND WILL SOON HAVE EXTENSIVE WMD

IRAN HAS WMD AND IS FAST DEVELOPING DELIVERY SYSTEMS

David Rudge February 26, 2001, The Jerusalem Post SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 2 HEADLINE: Iran, Iraq in non-conventional arms race //VT2002acsln

Shoham noted that Iran, which enjoys the support of several countries such as Pakistan, China and Russia, is in a better position than Iraq in the ballistic field, having already developed, tested, and produced a medium-to-long- range missile.

Furthermore, he stressed that Iran is covertly amassing stockpiles of biological and chemical weapons in addition to its intensive efforts to achieve nuclear capability, despite being a signatory to international conventions banning the acquisition and development of weapons of mass destruction.

"Iran has and is implementing the very same concept as Iraq - the total acquisition of all types of non- conventional weapons and, in conjunction, the development of delivery systems, primarily in the form of ballistic missiles," said Shoham.

IRAN CONTINUES TO TRY AND PURCHASE WMD TECHNOLOGY ABROAD

C4I NEWS March 8, 2001 HEADLINE: Iran Continues To Seek WMD Capability, New Intelligence Report Finds //VT2002acsln

       Iran remains one of the most active countries in seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) technology from abroad, according to an unclassified Central Intelligence Agency report sent to Congress recently on the acquisition of such technology.        The report, which covers the time period of Jan. 1-June 30, 2000, does not include an assessment of countries that already have substantial WMD programs, such as China and Russia, or countries that demonstrated little WMD acquisition activity.        As in previous reports, the intelligence community has concluded that countries determined to maintain WMD and missile programs over the long term have been placing significant emphasis on insulating their programs against interdiction and disruption, as well as trying to reduce their dependence on imports by developing indigenous production capabilities. In addition, as their domestic capabilities grow, traditional recipients of WMD and missile technology could emerge as new suppliers of technology and expertise, the report says. And, many of these countries--such as India, Iran and Pakistan--do not adhere to the export restraints embodied in such supplier groups as the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, the report adds.

IRAN IS ATTEMPTING TO DEVELOP ALL FORMS OF WMD

C4I NEWS March 8, 2001 HEADLINE: Iran Continues To Seek WMD Capability, New Intelligence Report Finds //VT2002acsln

       Topping the list, the report says Tehran is attempting to develop an indigenous capability to produce various types of weapons--chemical, biological, and nuclear--and their delivery systems. During the reporting period, the evidence indicates determined Iranian efforts to acquire WMD- and ACW-related equipment, materials, and technology focused primarily on entities in Russia, China, North Korea, and Western Europe, it adds.        Iran already has manufactured and stockpiled several thousand tons of chemical weapons (CW), including blister, blood and choking agents, and the bombs and artillery shells for delivering them, the report says. During the first half of 2000, Tehran also continued to seek production technology, training, expertise, equipment, and chemicals that could be used as precursor agents in its chemical warfare program from entities in Russia and China.

RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA AND CHINA HELP IRAN’S MISSILE PROGRAMS

C4I NEWS March 8, 2001 HEADLINE: Iran Continues To Seek WMD Capability, New Intelligence Report Finds //VT2002acsln

       During the first half of 2000, entities in Russia, North Korea, and China continued to supply the largest amount of ballistic missile-related goods, technology and expertise to Iran, the report says.

IRAN IS FIVE YEARS AWAY FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Steven Mufson, Washington Post Staff Writer, The Washington Post July 17, 1999, Pg. A01 HEADLINE: Losing the Battle on Arms Control; Pakistan-India Nuclear Race Is Just Part of a Disturbing Trend //lnu-acs

American officials believe that within five years Iran will have the ability to make a nuclear bomb, even though the United States persuaded Russia and China to curtail their nuclear cooperation with Tehran. Iran already possesses medium-range missiles and is working on long-range missiles with help from Russian firms and North Korea.

IRAN IS 2-3 YEARS AWAY FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AND ALREADY HAS THE MISSILES

Juan Romero, Jane's Intelligence Review March 1, 1999; Pg. 32 HEADLINE: Charting reactions to the Islamic bomb //lnu-acs

According to a report in al-Sharq al-Awsat on 10 August, Ahmad Rezai, the defected son of former head of the Revolutionary Guards Mohsen Rezai, claimed after his arrival in the USA that Iran has a sizeable arsenal of missiles, both medium and long range. As for nuclear weapons, Iran's plans are in an advanced stage and in the course of two to three years the country will acquire a nuclear capability. According to Rezai, the fact that there is not just one source of power in Iran is, moreover, reason for serious concern, as this makes control of nuclear weapons difficult.