Iran test-fires advanced missile
Story from BBC NEWS:
middle_east/8415489.stm
Published: 2009/12/16 13:06:46 GMT
Iran has successfully test-fired an improved version of a medium-range
missile, state television has said.
The Sajjil-2 has a longer range than previously-tested missiles which
could travel 2,000km (1,243 miles), Iran’s Arabic-language TV station
announced.
That range would put Israel and US bases in the Gulf within range.
Correspondents say it is not the first time this missile has been
tested, but the timing is likely to add to current tension over Iran’s
nuclear ambitions.
The West says that Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons, a charge
Iran denies.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the missile launch could increase
the likelihood of further sanctions on Iran.
MAXIMUM MISSILE RANGE
Shahab-3b: 2,500km
Sajjil-1 and 2: 2,000km
Shahab-3a: 1,800km
Shahab-3: 1,300km
Shahab-2: 500km
Zelzal: up to 400km
Fateh: 170km
Tondar: 150km Sources: GlobalSecurity.org, AFP, Jane’s, Arms Control
Association
"This is a matter of serious concern to the international community
and it does make the case for us moving further on sanctions," he
said.
The French Foreign Ministry said the launch was "very worrying".
"A test of this kind can only strengthen the international community’s
worries at a time that Iran is also developing a nuclear programme
with no identifiable civil objective in violation of five United
Nations Security Council resolutions," spokesman Bernard Valero said.
In September, Iran was heavily criticised after testing its Sajjil and
Shahab missiles.
Those tests came just weeks after Iran revealed the existence of a
previously secret nuclear facility in the mountains near the city of
Qom.
Readiness
Like the missiles tested in September, the missile launched on
Wednesday uses solid fuel in its two-stage rocket.
Solid fuel rockets can be prepared for launch in less time than those
using liquid propellant rockets.
BBC defence correspondent Nick Childs says the government’s
refinements to its rocket programme will increase tensions over Iran’s
nuclear ambitions.
The six nations negotiating with Iran on that issue want to prevent
the government from enriching uranium to weapons-grade.
Iran has declared it will open 10 more nuclear sites and enrich
uranium to a higher degree than it has publicly announced before.
Arrest threat?
The latest test-firing comes on the same day that Iran’s judiciary
announced it had evidence that opposition leaders had tried to foment
anti-government tension on the streets following disputed elections in
June.
The announcement by judiciary chief Sadeq Larijani is seen as an
indication that opposition leaders may be about to be arrested.
Hundreds of protesters have been detained and five have been sentenced
to death by courts.
Protests have continued and Iran accuses the reformists of being
influenced and aided by the West.
The missile launch may be an attempt to distract attention from plans
to arrest the opposition leaders, correspondents say.