TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards test fired several ballistic missiles on Tuesday, including a long-range variety meant to dissuade Israel and the U.S. from attacking the Islamic Republic, local media reported.
The Guards’ acting commander told state TV that the tests, aimed at mock enemy bases in a war game exercise, were a response to Israel’s and Washington’s refusal to rule out military strikes to stop Iran’s nuclear program.
“It is a response to the political impoliteness of those who talk about all options being on the table,” Gen. Hossein Salami said.
The official IRNA news agency said the surface-to-surface missiles successfully hit their targets, while semi-official Fars said the salvos included the so-called Shahab-3 missile. It quoted a leading officer as saying the missiles traveled distances of up to 1,300 kilometers, or 800 miles.
Iran has tested a variety of missiles in previous war games, including a Shahab-3 variant with a range of 2,000 kilometers that can reach Israel and southern Europe. The launched missiles are also capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region.
Iranian state TV showed footage of several missiles being launched.
“So far, we have launched missiles from 300 to 1,300 kilometers in the maneuver,” said Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who heads the Guards’ aerospace division. He hinted that some missiles had an even longer range.
Israel is about 1,000 kilometers away from Iran’s western borders, while the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, some 200 kilometers from Iranian shores in the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian commander quoted by Fars said Iran used both unmanned and manned bombers in the war games, and was firing a variety of other missiles. Tehran says the drills aim to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of its warheads and weapons systems.
On Sunday, a European Union oil embargo meant to pressure Iran over its nuclear program came into effect.
The West suspects the Islamic Republic wants to build nuclear weapons, and Israel has hinted at an attack if diplomatic efforts and sanctions fail to eliminate what it sees as a direct threat.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as power generation and cancer treatment.
Source: AP/Washington Post
if we didn't have missile interseptors, this might be a problem…can't let them get too many though, so time is of the essence to destroy them. don't expect help from the dear leader…
If any soldier in israel , iran or other countries need a shovel to dig thier grave I'll try to get u one…or vegetable seeds to plant a garden I'll try to get u some seeds…I should of planted a few pumpkins this yr…my tomatoes plants did lousy….
You need to seek counselling. Seriously. Btw, "franklin" is not very intimidating.
There is a huge difference between a warning shot and a test fire. Stop spinning the news.
the iranians are just trying to act tough and bluff. let them bring it on! we and our Israeli allies will send 'em to sand heaven. they talk tough and fire their guns in the air and rely on weak leadership to back off and kiss their tails.It's time America acts like a superpower and not some pansy pc liberal country.
Agreed…Irun is is just a wannabe in the big game but turning parts of their country into nuclear pyrex would make a real mess and kill of lot of innocent civilians. Of more concern is the possibility of them hooking up with crazy muzzies and distributing some dirty bombs anywhere they choose.
Iranian "missiles"….brought to you by….MATTEL….AND……..TONKA…..
The Iranians are a bunch of wimps. They think that a few missiles being launched for target practice will scare us! All you need is one launched from away and then they will be nothing but glass.
ha the bible says they lose every war they get into…too bad they cannot read.
The more they fire missles the fewer they have and the more that we learn about them.
Israelis seem to be bullies then again I don't know but all my friends think Israel = Bully
Candy – Wake up to the world. How is Israel a bully when the Iranians threaten to "wipe them off the map"? We should move all of the terrorists from Gitmo to all of the houses surrounding your home/apartment. Then you may understand how Israel feels over in the middle east where everyone would kill them (men, women, children) and then dance in the street to celebrate their deaths.
and what about you?you kill innocent palistanians,arabs and so many others.you alway raided other countries,now when iranian s gain power and you feel threatened by hizbullah you beat you first time,you are shivering?israel is a illigitimate child of us.shame on you cowards.
I agree with you. Israel is dominated by Zionists.
One nuke on Tehran would shut them down.