Iran: The best defense is a long range missile?

This is a very strange and opitmistic artice:

 

In a sign that Iran is taking military measures to ward off the threat of an attack on its nuclear facilities, the country has tripled the number of long-range rockets in its arsenal, Channel 10 reported on Monday.

Nuclear facilities can be defended by short range Surface to Air Missiles. Long range missiles are offensive weapons by any definition.

 

'Iran rocket arsenal tripled in 2008'
Dec. 8, 2008
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST

 

In a sign that Iran is taking military measures to ward off the threat of an attack on its nuclear facilities, the country has tripled the number of long-range rockets in its arsenal, Channel 10 reported on Monday.

 

According to the report, Iran possessed 30 Shihab-3 missiles at the beginning of 2008. Currently, the country claims to have over 100 over long-range missiles capable of hitting Israel.

 

While the ability of the Islamic Republic to strike any point in Israel has long been known, this latest build-up potentially points to an Iranian intent to launch a protracted counter-strike against those who seek to destroy its nuclear program.

 

The Jerusalem Post could not confirm the report.

 

Last summer, Iran held a massive missile exercise during which it claimed to have launched an improved version of the Shihab-3, known to have a range of 1,300 kilometers. The Iranian Fars News Agency Web site reported that the Shihab-3 had recently been equipped with an advanced guidance system that significantly improves the missile's accuracy and can correct its flight plan in midair.

Cross posted: Israel News  Middle East Analysis