Iran test-fires new ground-to-ground missiles
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
16:00GMT—11:00AM/EST
MISSILE – TEST – US – REACTIONS
Washington, 12 November (IranVNC)—Iran today successfully tested a new ground-to-ground missile with a range of close to 2,000 km, in a move quickly condemned by Washington.
Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said that the Iranian-made missile, named Sijil [Arabic: Stones of fire], was a two-stage missile equipped with two engines, and had “extraordinary and high capabilities”.
“This missile test took place within the framework of the doctrine and strategy of defensive deterrence and the standard missile activities of the Islamic Republic, and purely with the goals of defense and bolstering peace, stability and tranquility in the region. And it will not be used against any country,” the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted Najjar as saying.
Najjar’s comments came just days after Arab countries expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear activities and role in the region during a meeting with European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, in Egypt.
Pictures of the Sijil test-launch posted on the agency’s website show a gold-colored missile launched into the sky from a desert-like terrain.
The White House denounced the test-launch today, and called on Iran to “immediately” halt its ballistic missile program.
“Iran’s development of ballistic missiles is contrary to United Nations Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran’s obligations to the world,” said White House spokesperson, Gordon Johndroe, in a statement.
He added: “The Iranian regime should stop the development of ballistic missiles, which could be used as a delivery vehicle for a potential nuclear weapon, immediately.”
Pentagon spokesperson, Bryan Whitman, said that he could not confirm the launch, but said that the U.S. believes Iran is making an “extended version” of the Shahab-3 – which is capable of hitting Israel.
“This testing is another reminder of the importance of establishing a missile defense site in Poland and in the Czech Republic to defend the U.S. and Europe against a threat that is developing in Iran,” AFP quoted Whitman as saying.
Western intelligence has alleged that Iran had carried out studies to modify the Shahab-3 missile in order to equip it with a nuclear warhead.
The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] has called on Iran to explain the allegations.
Iran, which has categorically denied carrying out any weaponization activities, in July test-fired its Shahab-3 missiles in a maneuver entitled, “Great Prophet-3.”
Sources: ISNA in Persian, Agence France-Presse
© IranVNC 2008. All rights reserved.