View source for Great Prophet III

{{Short description|2008 Iranian missile tests and war games}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
'''Great Prophet III''' ('''Payambar-e Azam 3''';<ref name="defence">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/10/content_8519810.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713000925/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/10/content_8519810.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2008|title=Defense minister: Iran's missile capacity only for defensive purposes|publisher=Xinhua|first=Mu|last=Xuequan|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> {{langx|fa|پیامبر اعظم 3}}) was an Iranian missile test and [[Military simulation|war games]] exercise, conducted by Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/09/content_8517337.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717141630/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/09/content_8517337.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2008|title=Iran test fires new long- and mid-range missiles|publisher=Xinhua|first=Bi|last=Mingxin|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> It began in the early morning of 9 July 2008,<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7496765.stm|title=Iran sends missile test warning|publisher=BBC News|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> when Iran claimed nine [[missile]]s were simultaneously test-fired, including a long-range [[Shahab-3]].<ref name="IHT">{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/09/mideast/iran.php|publisher=International Herald Tribune|title=Iran reportedly test-fires 9 missiles|last=Cowell|first=Alan|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> Further tests, which one report claimed included another Shahab-3 launch,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92399124|title=Iran Tests More Missiles; U.S. Issues Warning|publisher=NPR|date=10 July 2008|accessdate=10 July 2008}}</ref> were conducted on 10 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgZ55IhebcnRDnAzMeZxnlJLiieg|title=Iran fires more missiles in war games|publisher=AFP|date=10 July 2008|accessdate=10 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713034104/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgZ55IhebcnRDnAzMeZxnlJLiieg|archive-date=13 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The exercise was reported to be a response to [[Israel]]i and [[United States|American]] military exercises which the Iranian government believed to be related to a proposed attack on facilities related to [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear programmes]].<ref name="AHN">{{cite web|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011549739|title=Iran's Long-Range Missile Test Seen As Response to U.S. Threats|publisher=AHN|first=Komfie|last=Manalo|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008|archive-date=3 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803185918/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011549739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The commander of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Iran's Revolutionary Guards]]' air force, [[Hossein Salami]], said that the test proved that "our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy".<ref name="BBC"/> However, Iranian Minister for Defence [[Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar]] insisted that the missiles are "only intended for those who dare attack Iran".<ref name="defence" /> After the test, prices of [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[gold]], already at or near all time highs, increased worldwide.<ref name="BBC2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7498214.stm|title=Iran missile test 'provocative'|publisher=BBC News|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/gold-prices-end-higher-after/story.aspx?guid={1A52E515-09DF-47F1-A995-54D0098588F5}|title=Gold prices end higher after Iran test fires missile|first=Joyce|last=Koh|publisher=MarketWatch|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> Oil hit a new record (over $147 per barrel) on Friday, 11 July 2008, continuing a weekly string of records.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/FSCONS/idUSSP34195620080711 Oil hits record above $147 on Iran, Nigeria] Reuters</ref>

==Disputes==

===Photograph===
Several sources have alleged that one of the photos of the actual launch was doctored by the ''Sepah News'' website, which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The photo was originally published by [[Agence France-Presse]]'s news wire attributing it to ''Sepah News'', and was later determined to be digitally altered. The altered photo showed a fourth [[Zelzal|Zelzal missile]] being launched that was digitally cloned over the top of a failed missile. Michele McNally of ''The New York Times'' said the alterations were done "rather sloppily in some places" and James Brown, a journalism professor from Indiana University, described the alterations as "amateurish". ''Agence France-Presse'' issued a correction to its wire release on 10 July warning that the photo was "apparently digitally altered."<ref>{{cite news|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-07-10-photo_N.htm|title=News agency says missile-test photo digitally changed|first=Andrea|last=Stone|date=10 July 2008|accessdate=12 July 2008}}</ref><ref name="photo">{{cite news|url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/in-an-iranian-image-a-missile-too-many/|title=In an Iranian image, a Missile Too Many|last=Nizza|first=Mike|author2=Patrick Witty|date=11 July 2008|work=New York Times|accessdate=11 July 2008}}</ref>

===Types of missile===
On 12 July 2008, ''The New York Times'' claimed that numerous deceptions in the weapon test had occurred, including doctored photos and videos that showed multiple different angles of the same launches to make the launches appear more numerous. Experts who analysed the Shahab-3 launch alleged that the shorter ranged Shahab-3A was used instead of the Shahab-3B, as claimed by the Iranians.<ref>{{cite news|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/world/middleeast/12iran.html|title=Experts Point to Deceptions in Iran's Military Display|date=12 July 2008|accessdate=12 July 2008|first=William J. |last=Broad}}</ref> The Associated Press also claimed that no new capabilities had been demonstrated and that the Shahab-3 tested was not different in size from those tested in 1998. US officials also claimed that the video released looked "remarkably similar to previous tests."<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Associated Press |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0 |title=Official: Iran missile tests used 'old equipment' |first=Pamela |last=Hess |date=12 July 2008 |accessdate=12 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715041722/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0 |archivedate=15 July 2008}}</ref>

The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' reported that Charles Vick, an analyst with GlobalSecurity.org, has claimed that the second Shahab-3 fired was actually a short range [[Scud]]-C missile. He also claimed the tests as, "basically a demonstration of all the weapon systems they bought from Russia, China or North Korea over the last decade."<ref>''Chicago Tribune''. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-iran-missiles_11jul11,0,7581893.story More Iran rockets draw sharp warnings]. 11 July 2008.</ref>

==International reaction==
* {{CHN}} – A spokesman for China's foreign ministry expressed "concern about these developments", and a "hope that measures taken by all sides will be to the benefit of regional peace and stability".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2008/July/theworld_July574.xml&section=theworld|title=China says concerned about Iran tensions|work=Khaleej Times|date=10 July 2008|access-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804014853/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data%2Ftheworld%2F2008%2FJuly%2Ftheworld_July574.xml&section=theworld|archive-date=4 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|France|1974}} – A spokesman for the French foreign ministry stated that "these missile tests can only reinforce the concerns of the international community at a time when Iran is separately developing a nuclear programme".<ref name="ICP">{{cite web|url=http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=080709195338.24fzx0e7.php|title=US leads outcry over Iran missile test|publisher=IC Publications|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803125541/http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=080709195338.24fzx0e7.php|archive-date=3 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{GER}} – A spokesman for the German government described the tests as "a bad-will gesture", and "regrettable".<ref name="ICP" />
* {{ISR}} – A spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister stated that "Israel has no desire for conflict or hostilities with Iran, but the Iranian nuclear programme and the Iranian ballistic missile programme must be of grave concern to the entire international community".<ref name=IHT /> Israel's housing minister stated in parliament that "Israel should prepare itself to do what is needed to do".
* {{JPN}} – The Japanese Cabinet Secretary called for "self-restraint on this kind of action, which only puts regional peace and stability at a disadvantage". He also referred to the [[G8]] summit which was being held in Japan at the time, asking "what kind of international sense they have in launching purposely on the last day of the summit".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20080710091756805C766601|title=Missile-test: Japan calls for self-restraint|publisher=IOL|date=10 July 2008|accessdate=10 July 2008}}</ref>
* {{RUS}} – Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Kisliak called for diplomatic talks to be held in light of the tests, saying that "the signal that we have received in essence is that Iran is ready for negotiations".<ref name="ICP" />
* {{UK}} – The British government stated that the test was "unwelcome", and that it "underlines the need for Iran to comply with its international obligations on the nuclear issue".<ref name="ICP" />
{{wikinews| Iran conducts nine missile tests| Iran tests more missiles as war games continue}}
* {{USA}} – [[White House]] spokesman [[Gordon Johndroe]] stated that "The Iranian regime only furthers the isolation of the Iranian people from the international community when it engages in this sort of activity",<ref name="IHT" /> and [[US Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] claimed that the test showed "evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-fg-iran10-2008jul10,0,857680.story|title=Iran stages Persian Gulf missile tests amid warnings to its 'enemies' |work=Los Angeles Times|first=Jeffrey|last=Fleishman|date=9 July 2008|accessdate=9 July 2008}}</ref> She also stated that it justified American plans to install missile defence systems in [[Eastern Europe]], as did [[Republican Party (USA)|Republican]] [[President of the United States|presidential]] candidate [[John McCain]].<ref name="BBC" /> [[Democratic Party (USA)|Democratic]] candidate [[Barack Obama]] described the Iranian missile programme as a "great threat".<ref name="BBC2" />

==See also==
* [[Great Prophet IX]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Great Prophet Iii}}
[[Category:Science and technology in Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian military exercises]]
[[Category:Photojournalism controversies]]
[[Category:2008 in Iran]]