IRAN 18 MONTHS AWAY FROM DEVELOPMENT OF LONG RANGE MISSILES ISRAEL LINE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1997 Israeli officials said on Tuesday that Iran will be able to produce, within 18 months, a long range missile called Shihab 3 which will be capable of striking Israel, MA'ARIV reported. The missile will have a range of 1,700 kilometers and will be capable of carrying 700 kilograms of explosives. Israeli officials continued to criticize Russian assistance to Iran's arms buildup, saying that hundreds of Russian scientists and technicians are involved in the program. Additionally, two Russian institutions are developing engines and navigation systems for the missiles. The officials predicted that Shihab 3 will be ready for production by the beginning of 1999 and expressed their concern that the project will soon reach a critical stage in which it no longer needs Russian support. ISRAEL LINE
