If Clapper is saying this, one can only imagine how horrible the real story is

GERTZ:

DNI: Iran has ‘largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East’

WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has determined that Iran has acquired the largest missile inventory in the Middle East.

Officials said Iran was developing a range of missiles, including those that could carry a nuclear warhead. They said Iranian missiles could target the entire Gulf and Levant areas of the Middle East.

Iranian Shihab-2, left, and Shihab-3 missiles on display in front of a large portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. AFP/Atta Kenare

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“Iran already has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East,” National Intelligence Director James Clapper said.

In testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, Clapper did not detail Iran’s missile inventory. But the intelligence chief asserted that Iran was expected to produce nuclear warheads for some of its intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

“We judge Iran would likely choose missile delivery as its preferred method of delivering a nuclear weapon,” Clapper said. “It continues to expand the scale, reach and sophistication of its ballistic missile forces, many of which are inherently capable of carrying a nuclear payload.”

At the Feb. 10 hearing, Clapper said Iran’s missile inventory included indigenous production of anti-ship cruise missiles. He also cited the development of a new rocket engine design meant for Iran’s Simorgh space-launch vehicle.

“This technology could be used for an ICBM-class vehicle,” Clapper said. “We are watching developments in this area very closely.