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CIAO DATE: 6/5/2006
Iranian Nuclear Weapons? Iran's Missiles and Possible Delivery Systems
Anthony H. Cordesman, Khalid R. Al-Rodhan
April 2006
Abstract
It is one thing to have nuclear weapons; it is another to deliver them. This depends on being able to build them small enough to fit current missile warheads or build new missile technology to carry such weapons. In the case of Iran, this depends on knowing the extent of its nuclear technology. For example, if its P-1 or P-2 designs were provided by AQ Khan—the same warhead that was sold to Libya—then it is the Chinese design with 500 kg and 1 m diameter, which can fit Iran's current Shahab-3 missile.1
While there is more information about Iran's missile program than there is about actual CBRN capabilities, many aspects of Iran's missile systems remain uncertain. Many experts do, however, believe that 1) Iran's missile technology is more advanced than it nuclear capabilities, 2) Iran's missiles are too inaccurate to be used for conventional attacks, and 3) Iran's missile technology is getting more advanced by the day.
