Iran test-fires advanced missiles
Wednesday, 09 Jul 2008 20:12
The missile test comes after a period of hyped-up rhetoric from Iran
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Iran has test-fired its latest long- and medium-range missiles in response to recent threats from the US and Israel.
Iran simultaneously test-fired up to nine advanced missiles in a show of strength aimed at sending a clear message to Israel and the US.
Among the missiles tested was the latest version of the Shahab 3, which has a range of 2,000km and carries a one-ton conventional warhead.
The commander of Iran's navy, Morteza Saffari, says the successful testing should reassure regional countries that Iran can secure the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz without a foreign presence - a barely disguised reference to the US.
The test launches came on the second day of a three-day military exercise involving, land, air and naval units.
Air Force chief, Hossein Salami told local media the exercise is a demonstration of the unity and strong will of the Iranian people to defend its sovereignty.
Iran has been engaged in an escalating war of words with Washington and Tel Aviv, over Tehran's nuclear energy program that the West insists is simply a cover for the country to develop atomic weapons.