Strategic Assessment

In mid-December 2005, it was reported that Iran had acquired eighteen BM-25 missiles from North Korea. According to the report, this missile has a range of 2,500 kilometers. A few weeks later, on January 17, 2006, Iran tested an advanced missile, possibly an improved version of the Shehab-3 missile. The acquisition and the test should be evaluated in light of Iran's ongoing efforts to obtain both long-range missiles and satellite launching capability.