The Message In The Missile

The clandestine launch came shortly after 7 a.m. last Wednesday at a hidden site in central Iran, but the secret lasted about as long as a puddle of water in the scorched Iranian desert. Although technicians had tried to camouflage preparations for the missile test, U.S. spy satellites easily picked up the bright white plume as the rocket soared to an arid region in southeast Iran. Within an hour, the CIA's operations center phoned the White House situation room. Shahab-3 (Farsi for "shooting star") had taken to the air with an 800-mile range--enough to deliver conventional bombs, or someday nuclear warheads,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!