Iran tested mid-range ballistic missile: official
Test-firing of missile with range of 2,000km was carried out with “full accuracy”, military official says.
A military official has said that Iran successfully launched a ballistic missile in the latest of tests following the implementation of the major nuclear deal with world powers.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Brigadier-General Ali Abdollahi as saying on Monday that the test-firing of the precision-guided medium-range missile was carried out two weeks ago.
“We tested a missile with a range of 2,000km and 8m error margin two weeks ago. An 8m error margin means … full accuracy,” Abdollahi was quoted as saying.
The White House said later on Monday that it was looking into whether or not Iran had tested a missile.
“We’re still trying to get to the bottom of what exactly transpired,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a briefing.
“We are aware of Iranian claims of an additional ballistic missile launch,” he said. “We’re also aware of statements from the defense minister indicating that such a launch did not take place.”
Iran’s missiles: How big a threat to regional rivals?
In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles, with one emblazoned with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew. The move set off an international outcry.
Washington has imposed new sanctions on Tehran over the recent tests, despite the fact that it lifted nuclear-related separate sanctions in January.
The US move came after Iran implemented the nuclear deal it reached with the so-called P5+1 (namely China, France, Russia, the UK, the US and Germany) last year.
Iran has worked to improve the range and accuracy of its missiles over the past year, which it says will make them a more potent deterrent with conventional warheads against its enemy Israel.
Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in March that missile development was key to Iran’s future, in order to maintain its defensive power and resist threats from its enemies.
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