Comrade Khatami
Eye on Iran

By Adam Indikt

According to documents obtained by Jerusalem Post journalist Steve Rodan, Iran obtained up to four nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan in 1992. Russian technicians then maintained the weapons. These revelations were contained in Iranian Revolutionary Guards documents dating from 1991 and 1992. An April 3, 1992 document also details plans to produce a solid fuel ballistic missile named the Zalzal 300, which appears to be a modified Chinese M-11 MRBM. Iranian progress in nuclear and ballistic missile technology has advanced at a rate of knots over the last three years. Based on the North Korean No-Dong missile design, Iran is within 18 months of deploying the Shahab-3 medium range ballistic missile (MRBM). With a range of 1500 kilometres, the Shahab-3 will have the capability to hit targets in Israel, as well as eastern Egypt.

Iranian missile production capabilities accelerated after problems encountered purchasing direct supplies of the North Korean No-Dong in 1995-96. The greatest assistance for the new advanced BM program has come from Russian sources. Russia is now believed to be Iran’s largest source of ballistic missile technology and expertise.

Despite numerous denials by Russian officials of any official assistance going to Iranian, both US and Israeli intelligence agencies have amassed a detailed list of Russian support for the Iranian missile and nuclear programs. Several companies have been identified as signing contracts with Iran regarding missile technology and/or training of Iranian technicians.

Three Russian defence companies signed contracts with the Iranian government in 1996, covering the development of a liquid-fuelled ballistic missile. The companies were the Russian Central Aerohydro-dynamic Institute (TsAGI), Rosvoorouzhenie, and the Inor Production Association. Inor supplied manufacturing equipment and missile components such as special lasers, mirrors and specialised maraging steel for use in the construction of missile parts. TsAGI and Rosvoorouzhenie constructed wind tunnel and related testing and design facilities.

In September and October 1997 NPO Trud signed a US$7 million contract with Iran to assist in the production of rocket technology related to the Russian SS-4 medium range ballistic missile. The SS-4 is a Soviet era missile, developed originally during the 1950s, some of which were deployed to Cuba sparking the Cuban missile crisis. The SS-4 was highly reliable and remained in Soviet service until the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was signed with the US in 1987, requiring the destruction of SS-4 stocks. Its accuracy was relatively poor, with a 50% chance that an SS-4 could hit within 2,300 metres of its target, yet its rocket motor gave it a range of 2,000km and the capability to carry a 1,400kg warhead, either conventional or nuclear.

The head of the Russian Space Agency, currently participating in the construction of the multi-billion dollar international space station, Yuri Koptev and at least one senior official of Rosvoorouzhenie are reported to be directly involved with the Iranian missile program. The Bauman Institute in Moscow and the Baltic University in St Petersburg are also reported to be hosting Iranian students researching missile design. Russian missile technicians regularly travel to Iran, discrediting Russian Govern-ment denial of official knowledge of any assistance being given to Iran.

Russia defence sector technicians, particularly those involved in such highly sensitive areas, require clearance by the Federal Security Service, Foreign Ministry, and a high level interdepartmental commission on the protection of state secrets. One Russian missile technician travelling to Iran was denied permission to travel to the Czech Republic on vacation prior to his Iranian trip. A report in the reputable Russia newspaper Novaya Gazeta further elaborates on the extent of the Russian assistance program to Iran, claiming that the program began in earnest in 1994 when a decision was made in the Kremlin and Russian defence industry to sell weapons, including strategic weapons systems or technology, for hard currency.

According to the article, the policy was opposed by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service on the grounds that Iranian ballistic missiles built with the technology would be able to hit Russia, thus undermining its own security interests.

ARGENTINA ACTS: Argentina is close to breaking relations with Iran after investigations into the bombing of two Jewish centres resulted in the arrest of eight Iranian residents and the expulsion of seven embassy employees.

Senior officials in Buenos Aires have acknowledged that United States and Israeli intelligence officials have been correct in the assertion that Tehran played a direct role in the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy and the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association. The bombings killed 114 people. Former cultural attache to the Iranian Embassy Mr Mohsen Rabbani was linked to the bombings in evidence heard by a federal judge. Foreign Minister Mr Guido Di Tella said "potential but very significant evidence" had prompted the Government to reduce relations with Tehran, removing one of its remaining diplomats. Iran threatened to block more than $600 million in Argentine exports in retaliation.

FATWA ON SALMAN RUSHDIE: According to a US State Department report Patterns of Global Terrorism 1997, released in April, in September 1997, Iran’s new leadership affirmed the fatwa on Salman Rushdie, which has been in effect since 1989, stating once again that revocation is impossible since the author of the fatwa is deceased. There is no indication that Tehran is pressuring the Fifteen Khordad Foundation to withdraw the $2.5 million reward it is offering for executing the fatwa on Rushdie.