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Updated February 2006
Missile Chronology
2004
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
11 September 2004
Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps official, Major Yahya Rahim-Safavi states to the Fars news agency that "today, the Guards Corps has the largest deterrent capability at the regional level." He further states that large-scale Ashura-5 military exercises will be held in Western Iran to demonstrate national strength and deterrent capability.
—"Guards C-in-C Says Iran’s 'Deterrent Capability' Extends to Entire Region," BBC, 11 September 2004.
12-18 September 2004
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani confirms the testing of a new "strategic missile" during military exercises by the Revolutionary Guards.
—Ali Akbar Dareini, "Iran Says it Tested 'Strategic Missile,'" Associated Press, 25 September 2004.
25 September 2004
Iranian officials announce the addition of a new missile to Iran’s arsenal following successful tests during previous military exercises. The missile was handed over to the armed forces.
—Ali Akbar Dareini, "Iran Delivers Missile to its Armed Forces After Successful Test," Associated Press, 25 September 2004.
29 September 2004
U.S. places sanctions on seven Chinese firms, two Indian men, and various companies from Belarus, North Korea, Russia, Spain and Ukraine, for selling weapons or cruise and ballistic missile technology and equipment to Iran.
—"US Slaps Sanctions on 14 Firms, People for Arms and Missile Sales to Iran," Khaleej Times, 29 September 2004.
1 October 2004
Iranian Commander Yahya Rahim-Safavi states in response to a growing U.S. military presence and rising tensions in the region that if the United States were to make a move against Iran, Iran would be ready to "threaten its bases."
— "Iran’s Guards Commander Threatens to Hit US Bases in Retaliation," BBC, 1 October 2004.
5 October 2004
Former Iranian President and current head of the Iranian Expediency Council, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani declares to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that Iran has access to ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers. Rafsanjani further states, "once a country has reached this stage, it is capable of attaining further stages."
—"Iran Has Missile With 2,000 km Range: Rafsanjani," Xinhua, 5 October 2004.
6 October 2004
U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli states that the United States has "serious concerns" over Iran’s declarations on its missile program. The United States views the program as a threat to the region and to the United States.
—"US Views Iran’s Missile as Threat to American Interest," Xinhua, 6 October 2004.
6 October 2004
According to the BBC, a report by Iranian TV announces that Iran has added to its nascent missile productions the anti-artillery missile Tufan (storm), which can be installed on vehicles, tanks and helicopters, as well as surface-to air and surface-to-surface missiles, with 92% accuracy.
—"Iran Says Has Broken US Monopoly with Anti-Artillery Missiles," BBC, 6 October 2004.
7 October 2004
Iranian Deputy Director of Aerospace Industry, Naser Maleki states Iran is "very certainly going to improve [the] Shehab-3 missile," as well as all other missiles. He further clarifies that Iran’s defense strategy is "based on deterrence" and states that "the best means of deterrence is growth and national strength."
—"Iran to Further Improve Shahab-3 Missile," AFP, 7 October 2004.
15 October 2004
Two Japanese men are convicted of illegally exporting two grinders to Iran in 1999 and 2000 that could be used to produce solid fuel for rockets and missiles.
—"Two Japanese Convicted in Iran Scheme," Associated Press, 15 October 2004.
20 October 2004
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani states that Iran has test-fired an "improved version" of the Shehab-3 missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers.
—"Iran Test Launches Fresh Missile Test," BBC, 20 October 2004.
9 November 2004
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani states that Iran has acquired the capability to mass produce its medium-range Shehab-3 ballistic missiles. Officials believe the Shehab-3 is based on the North Korean Nodong missile, which has a 1,300-1,700 km range; this poses therefore a potential threat to Israel and various U.S. bases in the region.
— "Iran Can Mass Produce Missiles," BBC, 9 November 2004; "Iran Boasts It Can Mass Produce Shehab-3 Missile," AFP, 9 November 2004.
10 November 2004
According to UPI, Iran is developing and producing liquid-fuel engines for the Shehab-3 missiles. Iran previously relied on North Korea to supply engines for such missiles.
— "Iran Ready with Engines for Its Missiles," United Press International (UPI), 10 November 2004.
1 December 2004
The United States has imposed two-year sanctions on four Chinese and one North Korean company for selling weapons, cruise or ballistic missile technology and equipment to Iran. The companies affected include QC Chen, Wha Cheong Tai Company Ltd., Liaoning Jiayi Metals and Minerals Company Ltd., Shanghai Triple International Ltd., and one North Korean company, the Changgwang Sinyong Corporation.
— "US Imposes Sanctions on 4 Chinese, 1 N. Korea Cos for Selling Technology to Iran," AFX-Asia, 1 December 2004.
2 December 2004
An Iranian dissident group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claims that Iran is secretly developing medium and long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Western Europe and U.S. forces in Iraq. The new long-range missiles, the Ghadr and the Shehab-4, are said to have a range of 3,000 km. NCRI also claims that the upgraded version of the Zelzal missile, the Zelzal-2, may hit targets as distant as 300 km and is designed specially for offensive use, specifically the U.S.-led multinational forces in Iraq. NCRI further suggests that North Korean and Chinese scientists are assisting Iran.
— Douglas Jehl, "Iran is Said to Work on New Missile; Dissident Group Says Longer-Range Weapon Could Reach Europe," International Herald Tribune, 2 December 2004; "Iran Working on Secret Missile Programs: Opposition Group," AFP, 2 December 2004.
3 December 2004
A U.S. Congressional intelligence report is released, stating Iran is developing two longer-range ballistic missiles with the help of North Korea, China, and states of the former Soviet Union. The missiles are said to have potential target ranges of Europe or the U.S. Iranian officials deny the allegations.
— Barry Schweid, "Bush Administration Suspects Iran is Developing Two Longer-Range Ballistic Missiles," Associated Press, 3 December 2004.
6 December 2004
U.S. officials confirm that the U.S. military is seeking to build a strategic base facilitating any possible future dealings with Iran in the Holang desert area of Herat province, Afghanistan, 20 miles from the Iranian border. Other U.S. military bases in the vicinity of Iran include Iraq and Uzbekistan.
— Eli Lake, "Pentagon Eyes New Military Base as Iran Edges Toward an A-Bomb," The New York Sun, 6 December 2004.
This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.
