In 2009 Iran demonstrated that it had developed working ballistic missiles, prompting the U.S. State Department to express “grave concern.”

A new U.S. Department of Defense report released this week provides an upgraded evaluation regarding how soon Iran’s ballistic missiles may be capable of striking American soil. The answer will fail to dampen concerns about Tehran’s grown military ambitions:

Worryingly for Israel and the West, the Department of Defense report confirms the assessment of U.S. intelligence agencies that Iran is set to test an ICBM as early as 2015 – a prediction which should set off red lights in the White House. ‘Iran has ambitious ballistic missile and space launch development programs and continues to attempt to increase the range, lethality, and accuracy of its ballistic missile force,’ the assessment states.

The Pentagon’s 2013 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat Assessment also describes efforts by China, Iran, and North Korea to develop and share advanced ballistic technology. Among other things it notes that North Korea “has exported missiles and missile technology to other countries, including Iran and Pakistan.” Tehran and Pyongyang have extensive military-to-military ties, and it there is extensive evidence – including the physical presence of Iranian officials at North Korean tests – that the two are cooperating on work related to nuclear weapons.

Earlier this month Reuters published an expose outlining how Iran is exploiting loopholes in the existing sanctions regime order to import ore from Germany and France that could be used for making armor and missiles.

[Photo: IuliCata84 / Youtube]