Region | Iran
West angry over Iran missile test
Iran on Wednesday test-fired a missile, angering the United States amid growing fears the nuclear standoff drive could lead to war.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:04 July 10, 2008
- News of the tests caused record high oil prices to rebound after recent falls, with the market fearing supply disruptions.
- Image Credit: AP
Tehran: Iran on Wednesday test-fired a missile it said is capable of reaching Israel, angering the United States amid growing fears that the standoff over the contested Iranian nuclear drive could lead to war.
The Shahab-3 was among a broadside of nine missiles fired off from an undisclosed location in the Iranian desert during war games being staged by the Revolutionary Guards, state television showed.
"The aim of these war games is to show we are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," state-run Arabic channel Al Alam quoted Revolutionary Guards air force commander Hussain Salami as saying.
The US led Western condemnation of the tests, saying it would reinforce suspicions over Tehran's military ambitions at a time when world powers are seeking to resolve the long-running nuclear standoff.
Al Alam said the missiles test-fired by the Revolutionary Guards included a Shahab-3 with a one-tonne conventional warhead and a 2,000-km range. "Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy. The enemy must not repeat its mistakes. The enemy targets are under surveillance," Salami added.
The US condemned the missile tests. "Iran's development of ballistic missiles is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. He expressed concern that Iran's ballistic missiles could be used as "a delivery vehicle for a potential nuclear weapon".
But William Burns, the top official handling Iranian issues at the State Department, played down concerns about any immediate dangers from Iran's nuclear programme. "While Iran seeks to create the perception of advancement of its nuclear programme, real progress has been more modest," Burns said.
News of the tests caused record high oil prices to rebound after recent falls, with the market fearing supply disruptions.
In Occupied Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman said Israel is not seeking war. Germany - one of the six nations along with the permanent Security Council members which have drawn up a new offer to try to end the crisis - called on Iran to refrain from "sabre-rattling". The British Foreign Office described the tests as "unwelcome".
US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called Iran a "great threat" while his Republican opponent John McCain voiced support for a missile shield to counter Iran.
Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy. The enemy must not repeat its mistakes."
Hussain Salami
Air force commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards
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