The imagery has pinpointed the facility from where the Iranians launched their Kavoshgar 1 “research rocket” on February 4, claiming that it was in connection with their space programme.
Analysis of the photographs taken by the Digital Globe QuickBird satellite four days after the launch has revealed a number of intriguing features that indicate to experts that it is the same site where Iran is focusing its efforts on developing a ballistic missile with a range of about 6,000km (4,000 miles).
This site is clearly set up for military use despite Iran's constant denials and claims that they are for commercial projects.
Avital Johanan, the editor of Jane's Proliferation, said that the analysis of the Iranian site indicated that Tehran may be about five years away from developing a 6,000km ballistic missile. This would tie in with American intelligence estimates and underlines why President Bush wants the Polish and Czech components of the US missile defence system to be up and running by 2013.
The UN security council sanctions against Iran have done nothing to slow them down since they all have been weakened to the point of being useless because of Russia and China and Iran's march toward nuclear weapons and the capability to hit European countries continues along unhindered.
More to the point, via Jihad Watch, we see Iran's admitted intentions as well: "Iran: President wants to 'annihilate corrupt powers'"
Mashhad, 10 April(AKI) - Iran's hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday his country's objective was to destroy what he called corrupt western powers.
"Our objective is to annihilate all corrupt powers that dominate our planet today," said Ahmadinejad.
He was speaking in the holy Shia city of Mashhad, located 850 kilometres east of the Iranian capital Tehran at an event where he met Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade.
Ahmadinejad also "advised" western powers to repent or, "otherwise Iranians will hoist their flag on the roof of their buildings."
The fact is that no matter who is voted in as president of the US in November, they will be left with the same useless UN with the same problems of strengthening and getting any meaningful sanctions passed and a more dangerous Iran as each and every month passes.
It was reported on April 4, 2008 in the NYT as well as other media outlets that NATO leaders agreed Thursday to endorse a United States missile defense system based in Europe. NATO did this despite Russia's objections, and news and spy imagery such as what Times Online showed today could very well be a large factor in NATO's decision to embrace the missile shields.
But Mr. Bush could claim success in persuading NATO to endorse his missile-defense plan in the face of Russian objections, and on Thursday signed an agreement with the Czech Republic to build radar for the system.
“There has been, over 10 years, a real debate as to whether there is a ballistic missile threat,” said Mr. Bush’s national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley. “And I think that debate ended today.
Analysts maintain that Iran could have the capability to attack European countries via their long range missiles in 5 years time and the ultimate goal for the missile defense is to have it up and running by 2013, approximately that same 5 year window, which leaves very little room for error and cuts it quite close to European countries with the help of the US to have the ability to defend themselves from any potential threat via long range missiles.
PoliGazette makes a very good point when it states:
The West should prepare to defend itself against possible Iran missile strikes. So should Israel.
So we should.
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