THE TELEGRAPH: Iran could develop a ballistic missile capable of striking the United States by 2015, a senior US official has warned.
Asked at a senate hearing about Tehran's missile capability, James Miller, principal deputy undersecretary of defence for policy, said current estimates indicate "that it could potentially be as soon as 2015."
But he said that estimate assumed "foreign assistance" to enable Iran to improve its missile technology.
A report last year from the US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Centre said Iran could build an intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit US soil by 2015-2018, if it received outside help.
Analysts say Iran's Safir space launch vehicle, which Tehran put into orbit in February 2009, has the potential to be converted into a long-range missile.
Washington closely follows Iran's missile program and has cited threats from Tehran and North Korea as the main impetus for building up missile defences for the United States and allies. >>> | Wednesday, April 21, 2010
