TEHRAN: Iran yesterday tested a new generation of its long-range surface-to-surface missile similar to the existing Shahab-3, which can reach Israel and even southern Europe.
Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar said on state television that Sajjil was a high-speed missile manufactured at the Iranian Aerospace Department of the Defense Ministry with a range of about 2,000 km.
At that range it could reach Greece and Bulgaria in southeastern Europe, as well as easily strike Israel.
Solid fuel missiles are more accurate than the liquid fuel missiles of similar range currently possessed by Iran.
“This is a two-stage missile carrying two engines with combined solid fuel,” Najjar said. A separation ring in the middle of the body of the missile appeared to confirm that it functioned in two stages.
While the new missile can reach parts of southern Europe, it poses the greatest threat to points in the Middle East, including Israel and US military bases in the region.
The United States and a number of its allies, including Israel, fear that Tehran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for developing atomic weapons. Iran insists it wants to develop nuclear power for civilian purposes only because its huge oil and gas reserves will eventually run out.
The United States and Israel have said they want to resolve the issue diplomatically, but have refused to rule out the use of force.
“The testing of this missile has been carried out within the framework of our defensive deterrent doctrine and Tehran’s standard missile activities,” said Najjar.
“The missile will not be used against any country and has nothing to do with the latest regional and international developments. It will only fall on the Islamic republic’s enemies who want to attack and invade the country,” he added.
The test follows a thinly veiled call by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak for the United States not to rule out the possibility of a military strike against Iran.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday he’s more concerned with American policies toward Iran —- not who’s running the country.
He said this in a speech broadcast live on state TV. Ahmadinejad said it makes no difference who is in power in the US but instead how the next administration behaves. He also warned that Iran would crush its opponents if any power showed audacity or imprudence toward Iran.
Meanwhile, the six world powers trying to scale back Iran’s nuclear ambitions will meet in Paris today. They have put forward a package of technological, economic and political incentives if Iran suspends uranium enrichment.
