The report appears to confirm Iran has actively deployed a new solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile and that the Shahab-3 has improved accuracy and submunitions, said Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
The report also disclosed that Iran is seeking to improve its missile counter-measures against U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council missile defenses and poses a potential new threat to Gulf shipping, said Cordesman, who this week is publishing CSIS updates to his reports on Iran and the Gulf military balance.
Iran, like China, is developing and claims to have deployed short-range ballistic missiles with seekers that enable the missile to identify and maneuver toward ships during flight, the report found.
This technology also may be capable of striking land- based targets, the Pentagon said.
Katzman said the language about Iran possessing a formidable force defending Iranian territory seemed to be a signal to advocates of military action against Iran, suggesting any action on Iranian soil will carry risk.
The Pentagon highlighted three early 2012 war exercises by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ground resistance forces meant to show offensive and defensive capabilities.
The maneuvers were the first significant exercises conducted by this branch of the Iranian military since 2008, the Pentagon said.
