Iran has several dozen Shihab-3 and improved Shihab-3 rockets, unlike Syria which has hundreds of missiles capable of striking deep in Israel.

Israel’s Arrow anti-ballistic missile system is capable of dealing with the Shihab-3 missile threat. On the other hand, experts are monitoring Tehran with concern, explaining the only reason for continued development of a longer-range rocket is to serve as a conduit for a nuclear warhead.

One expert stated that Wednesday’s display, the test firing of longer and shorter-range missiles by Iran was impressive, explaining it confirms the threat Israel is facing in addition to the Syrian and Hizbullah threats from Israel’s northern border.

Some of the shorter range rockets fired on Wednesday successfully are in the hands of Hizbullah too. Intelligence community experts report that today, Hizbullah is armed with significantly more rockets that prior to the Second Lebanon War.

Iran is working in earnest to develop its Ashura longer-range rocket, capable of striking Israel. Unlike the Shihab series, the Ashura uses solid propellants, permitting its fueling in advance, which in essence makes the long-range missile ‘launch ready’ at all times. The Shihab-3 however must be fueled and this process could be detected by Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)