Missile Shahab-3

The Shahab-3 is a liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iran, based on the North Korean Nodong-1 missile family. This development reflects a strategic shift during the 1990s from acquiring foreign systems to indigenous production, a move prompted by international sanctions and embargoes. The missile's development phase involved a series of flight tests conducted between 1998 and 2003, which experienced initial setbacks before achieving success. Following a final test in mid-2003, the system was cleared for delivery to the armed forces.

The missile operates on a liquid propellant engine and is guided by an inertial navigation system. While early versions were equipped to carry a single conventional warhead, newer models feature cluster munition warheads, with each submunition capable of targeting different locations. Official reports from intelligence agencies suggest that early in its development, Iran may have explored adaptations to make the Shahab-3 more suitable for reliably delivering a nuclear payload. Subsequent modifications to the missile’s airframe, particularly the adoption of a triconic "baby bottle" nose cone, were assessed as improving its maneuverability and making it more advantageous for carrying not only nuclear but also chemical and biological agents. Variants of the missile feature improved guidance systems, greater range, and enhanced precision.

Entering service in 2003, the Shahab-3 is operated by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is launched from a mobile vehicle platform. For years, it was considered a mainstay of Iran's medium-range ballistic missile force, with a 2017 estimate suggesting that fewer than 50 launchers were operationally deployed. The missile has been prominently displayed in military parades and fired during large-scale military exercises. The system is now considered obsolete and is being progressively replaced by more advanced missiles in the same family.