Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Russia Says Iran Incapable Of Making ICBMs

The Iranian army shows off its Shahab-3 missile during a military parade in Tehran last September (epa)

November 2, 2006 -- The head of the Russian military's general staff, Yuri Baluyevsky, today said Iran does not have the technological means to create intercontinental ballistic missiles.

TEXT SIZE - +

November 02, 2006

"According to our information, today Iran has no technological or technical capabilities to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile," he said.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles have a range of more than 3,400 miles.

Baluyevsky's comments came shortly after Iran today reportedly fired its longer-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile for the first time.

Experts believe the Shahab missiles have a range of up to 1,240 miles.

The missile test came at the start of 10 days of military exercises, expected to involve maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

When asked whether the Shahab-3 missiles posed a threat to Russia, Baluyevsky responded: "That depends on which direction they are sent."

(AFP, Reuters)

RFE/RL Iran Report

SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on Iran by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Iran Report."

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More

Web-savvy Iranian oppositionists are renowned for their ability to use proxies and other means to circumvent Tehran

Explainer: Iran's National Internet

Reports that Iran has stepped up its Internet censorship in recent days -- as evidenced by a general slowdown of the web, Internet blackouts, and the blocking of sites such as Google -- has raised speculation that the country might be testing its controversial "national Internet." More