Fact Check: "Iran's missile capabilities threaten Europe, reaching up to 4,000 kilometers."
What We Know
Iran has been developing its missile capabilities for several decades, particularly in response to regional conflicts. According to a report by the Arms Control Association, Iran has made significant advancements in its missile technology, including the potential to develop missiles capable of reaching distances between 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers. This range would allow Iran to target parts of Western Europe, including major cities such as Rome, Berlin, London, and Paris.
Historically, Iran's missile program began during the Iran-Iraq War, leading to the acquisition of Scud missiles from North Korea and the development of indigenous systems like the Shahab-3, which has a range of approximately 1,300 kilometers. Reports indicate that Iran has been working on more advanced missiles, including the Shahab-3B, which could potentially reach the 4,000-kilometer mark, although this capability has not yet been fully demonstrated through successful tests (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Iran's missile capabilities threaten Europe with a range of up to 4,000 kilometers is partially true. While there is credible evidence that Iran is developing missiles that could potentially reach this range, the actual deployment and operational status of such missiles remain uncertain.
The Sejjil missile, for instance, is reported to have a range of about 2,000 kilometers, which would cover parts of Europe but not all of it. Furthermore, while there are discussions about Iran's potential to develop missiles with longer ranges, such as the Shahab-3B, these capabilities are still in the developmental phase and have not been confirmed through successful flight tests (source-2).
Additionally, the reliability of sources discussing Iran's missile capabilities varies. The Arms Control Association is generally considered a credible source in the field of arms control and non-proliferation, while reports from media outlets may carry more bias, particularly those that emphasize the threat narrative without providing balanced context (source-6).
Conclusion
The assertion that "Iran's missile capabilities threaten Europe, reaching up to 4,000 kilometers" is partially true. While Iran is indeed working on missile technologies that could potentially reach this range, the operational status and reliability of these systems are still in question. The development of such capabilities is ongoing, but definitive evidence of their deployment and effectiveness is lacking.
Sources
- Iran: une cyberattaque de grande ampleur paralyse les banques
- European Missile Defense: Assessing Iran's ICBM Capabilities
- Multiples explosions en Iran il y a une heure - JForum
- Sejjil, Iran's highly maneuverable new missile a major threat to Israel
- Israel Warns Iranian Missiles Could hit Europe, Launches Online Media Campaign
