IRAN
"Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom."

Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Iran and Weapons of Mass Destruction - Biological, Chemical, and Nuclear

Report on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations Terrorism Q & A | Iran

For further information: --- Did Iran Help al Qaeda Escape? Time (Feb '02) -- Payvand News Of Iran -- Mission of The Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN

Nuclear Weapons for Terror
Iran's Nuclear Threat -  Iran is working essentially in a joint venture with the North Koreans on a medium-range ballistic missile to carry weapons of mass destruction. US Intelligence believes there's really no particular argument about this, among anybody who's ever followed Iran. US Intelligence believes they're working on nuclear weapons, and  they have ballistic missiles which can hit Israel.  Moreover, Iran is developing missiles with even greater range, including one that it says will be used to launch satellites but that experts say could also be used as an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Iran Potential to Directly Attack USA
A U.S. intelligence report released in January 2002 projected Iran will likely possess missiles capable of reaching the United States by 2015. In the same vein, U.S. intelligence officials state Iran is trying to develop the material and expertise to produce nuclear, chemical and biological weapons -- and the means to deliver them. The State Department has also raised concerns regarding Russian-Iranian cooperation in military and nuclear energy matters.

Iran's Shahab Missiles
Iran tested the medium-ranged Shahab-3 missile on July 22, 2002.  This missile is derived from the North Korean  model known as the No-dong.   Iran is also thought to have received help from Russian Ballistic Missile techology. 
Iran Shahab-3 Missile:
  -- Type: Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
  -- Range: 730 Miles
  -- Payload: 1,500 pounds per single warhead
  -- Israel and Iraq as well as US forces in the Middle East are now well within range of Iran's Shahab-3 ballistic missiles

Iran's Mining of Uranium Announced
Iran establishes Nuclear production facilities in Isfahan and Kashan.

Does Iran have weapons of mass destruction?
Yes. According to the CIA, Iran possesses chemicals that can induce bleeding, blistering, and choking, as well as the bombs and artillery shells to deliver these agents. Iran also has an active biological weapons program, driven in part by its acquisition of "dual-use" technologies—supplies and machinery that can be put to either harmless or deadly uses. Finally, with help from Russia, Iran is building a nuclear power plant, but U.S. officials say that Iran is more interested in developing a nuclear weapon than in producing nuclear energy.

Terrorist activity:
Iran is branded as the most active state sponsor of terrorism, according to the United States. State institutions, notably the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, are thought to be involved in the planning and execution of terrorist acts and continue to support a variety of groups that use terrorism to pursue their goals. Iran encourages Hizballah and the Palestinian rejectionist groups -- including HAMAS, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Ahmad Jibril's PFLP-GC with varying amounts of money, training and weapons. Tehran also provides safe haven to elements of Turkey's Kurdish separatists, PKK, and support to terrorist groups in North Africa and South and Central Asia, including financial assistance and training. The opposition Mujahedin-e Khalq has conducted several terrorist attacks in Iran, including the assassination of Brigadier General Ali Sayyad Shirazi, the Iranian Armed Forces Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff in April 1999.

TERROR AND TEHRAN: Iran's Plans to Build Nuclear Weapons - Interview with CIA Director Woolsey

What terrorist activities have been linked with Iran?
The U.S. government first listed Iran as a terrorist sponsor in 1984. Among its activities have been the following:

US Warning to Iran Not to Provide Safe Have to Al-Qaeda
Voice of America Report

Iran and Human Rights
 -- Read the US State Department Report in Iranian Human Rights

Illicit drugs
Despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic consumption of narcotics remains a persistent problem and Iranian press reports estimate that there are at least 1.2 million drug users in the country


What Sort of Government Rules Iran?

Banners of hardline Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and reformist President Muhammad Khatami (right). (AP Photo/Enric Marti )

Since a 1979 revolution led by the Ayatollah Khomeini toppled the American-backed regime of the Shah, the country has been governed by Shiite Muslim clerics committed to a stern interpretation of Islamic law. Iran today has two main leaders: Muhammad Khatami is the popularly elected president, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the supreme leader. Khatami is reform-minded, but anti-American, anti-Western hard-liners like Khamenei still dominate the Iranian military and intelligence services.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (successor to Ayatollah Khomeini)
Iranian-Provided History of the Supreme Leader of Iran
CNN Report: Ali Khamenei: The hard-liner
Intelligence News Summary on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Warns of Talks with US - Will Be a Crime