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But there is more to this than meets the eye. The very existence of the Sajil is living testimony that Iran has secured access to the high-strength steel and specialized precursor materials needed for large-diameter solid rocket motors, and that it now possesses the specialized industrial infrastructure, such as large mixers, casting pits, X-ray machines and test stands, without which such 10-ton-class rocket motors cannot be manufactured, inspected or tested.

All those precursor materials and industrial machinery are strictly controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and by right should have never been available to Iran. Yet, the report cheerfully observes that "there appears to have been some success in recent years in improving the MTCR", and recommends without any hint of sarcasm that "this improvement be maintained and strengthened."