A nation does not need to be a space-faring nation to have anti-space capabilities. Space assets include the ground segment, the space segment, and most importantly the link segment. A state-actor or a non-state actor (such as demonstrated by Falun Gong's hijacking of a PRC communicatons satellite) can attack a nation's space assets by attacking any or all of these segments. In Iran's case, they possess missiles. They possess warheads. And they may soon possess a nuclear device. Together these can be used in a SCUD-derived launch vehicle or a more sophisticated launch vehicle to attack satellites in low earth orbit. These attackas can be directed at specific satellites or all satellites depending on whether high-explosives or nuclear devices are used - the satellite can be taken down by a direct hit or by the explositon and debris from the explosion; a satellite can be taken down by a nuclear device either through the direct exploosion or through total dose and dose-rate radiation effects; debris and radiation effects will affect not only the targeted satellite but satellites in a whole band of orbits - radiation effects could also affect satellites in higher orbits and disrupt space and terrestrial commnincations through scintilaltion and distortion of the ionosphere. Iran, any other terrorist-sponsoring nation, or terrorist group could also attack ground-based space assets and disrupt command and control of our space assets; jam communications links, or take command and control of satellites. Iran has demonstrated the ability to jam satellite communications. Iran has the growing capability to and the deonstrated intention of disrupting US utlization of space, hence there are a threat.

A nation does not need to be a space-faring nation to have anti-space capabilities. Space assets include the ground segment, the space segment, and most importantly the link segment. A state-actor or a non-state actor (such as demonstrated by Falun Gong's hijacking of a PRC communicatons satellite) can attack a nation's space assets by attacking any or all of these segments. In Iran's case, they possess missiles. They possess warheads. And they may soon possess a nuclear device. Together these can be used in a SCUD-derived launch vehicle or a more sophisticated launch vehicle to attack satellites in low earth orbit. These attackasattacks can be directed at specific satellites or all satellites depending on whether high-explosives or nuclear devices are used - the satellite can be taken down by a direct hit or by the explositonexplosion and debris from the explosion; a satellite can be taken down by a nuclear device either through the direct exploosionexplosion or through total dose and dose-rate radiation effects; debris and radiation effects will affect not only the targeted satellite but satellites in a whole band of orbits - radiation effects could also affect satellites in higher orbits and disrupt space and terrestrial commnincationscommunications through scintilaltionscintilation and distortion of the ionosphere. Iran, any other terrorist-sponsoring nation, or terrorist group could also attack ground-based space assets and disrupt command and control of our space assets; jam communications links, or take command and control of satellites. Iran has demonstrated the ability to jam satellite communications. Iran has the growing capability to and the deonstrateddemonstrated intention of disrupting US utlization of space, hence therethey are a threat.