Missile Shahab-1

The Shahab-1 represents the foundational element of Iran's short-range ballistic missile program. Its development originated during the Iran-Iraq War, a period when Iran sought to establish its own missile capabilities by acquiring R-17 Elbrus systems from several nations, including North Korea's Hwasong-5 variant. The Shahab-1 is a close indigenous copy of the Hwasong-5, with local production commencing in the mid-to-late 1980s. This initiative marked a significant step in establishing a domestic capacity for ballistic missile manufacturing.

The Shahab-1 entered service around 1987 and its operational history is marked by extensive use throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. During this time, Iran employed the missile system in strikes against Mujahidin-e Khalq organization camps located in Iraq. Besides Iran, Syria is also listed as an operator of the missile. Production of the Shahab-1 has since been halted, with its service in Iran reportedly concluding in the mid-2010s as more advanced systems became available.