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Iran sends missile test warning Iran sends missile test warning
(10 minutes later)
Iran has test-fired what it called a new version of the Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of reaching its main regional enemy Israel, state media say.Iran has test-fired what it called a new version of the Shahab-3 missile, which is capable of reaching its main regional enemy Israel, state media say.
The missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was one of nine launched from a remote desert site.The missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was one of nine launched from a remote desert site.
Iran has tested the Shahab-3 before, but the latest launch comes amid rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear programme.Iran has tested the Shahab-3 before, but the latest launch comes amid rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear programme.
The US denounced the test and called on Iran to abandon its missile programme.The US denounced the test and called on Iran to abandon its missile programme.
Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
'Aggressive language''Aggressive language'
The aim of the early morning launch of the "upgraded" Shahab-3 missile was to demonstrate Iran's "determination and power to the enemies who have used aggressive language during recent weeks", state media reported.The aim of the early morning launch of the "upgraded" Shahab-3 missile was to demonstrate Iran's "determination and power to the enemies who have used aggressive language during recent weeks", state media reported.
"We are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," said the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brigadier General Hoseyn Salami."We are ready to defend the integrity of the Iranian nation," said the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brigadier General Hoseyn Salami.
Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy Brig Gen Hoseyn SalamiCommander, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air ForceOur missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy Brig Gen Hoseyn SalamiCommander, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force
Two other types of missile with shorter ranges were also fired as part of the Great Prophet III war games being staged by the Guards.Two other types of missile with shorter ranges were also fired as part of the Great Prophet III war games being staged by the Guards.
"Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy," Gen Salami added. "The enemy must not repeat its mistakes. The enemy targets are under surveillance.""Our missiles are ready for shooting at any place and any time, quickly and with accuracy," Gen Salami added. "The enemy must not repeat its mistakes. The enemy targets are under surveillance."
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says this is a clear warning from Iran.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says this is a clear warning from Iran.
It is a response to a recent military exercise by Israel, which was seen as a rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, he says.It is a response to a recent military exercise by Israel, which was seen as a rehearsal for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, he says.
On Monday, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said it would respond to any military attack by hitting the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.On Monday, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said it would respond to any military attack by hitting the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
Other commanders have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large part of the world's oil flows, and to target the US and its allies around the world if Iran comes under attack.Other commanders have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large part of the world's oil flows, and to target the US and its allies around the world if Iran comes under attack.
However, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad later insisted his country had no intention to attack Israel. He also said Iran did not fear an attack by the US or Israel over its nuclear activities, dismissing the possibility as a "funny joke".However, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad later insisted his country had no intention to attack Israel. He also said Iran did not fear an attack by the US or Israel over its nuclear activities, dismissing the possibility as a "funny joke".
Mr Ahmadinejad said the economic, political and military situation would dissuade US President George W Bush from any such move.Mr Ahmadinejad said the economic, political and military situation would dissuade US President George W Bush from any such move.
"I assure you that there won't be any war in the future," he said during a visit to Malaysia on Tuesday."I assure you that there won't be any war in the future," he said during a visit to Malaysia on Tuesday.
New sanctionsNew sanctions
The missile test came shortly after the US Treasury announced new financial sanctions on Iranian officials it suspected of involvement in the country's nuclear programme.The missile test came shortly after the US Treasury announced new financial sanctions on Iranian officials it suspected of involvement in the country's nuclear programme.
Iran insists that is nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.Iran insists that is nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Among those targeted were a senior scientist at the defence ministry, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, and three companies believed to be related to the arms industry.Among those targeted were a senior scientist at the defence ministry, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, and three companies believed to be related to the arms industry.
It came as G8 leaders called for Iran to halt uranium enrichment.It came as G8 leaders called for Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
Western leaders have been attempting to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium, which it has continued despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN and the European Union.Western leaders have been attempting to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium, which it has continued despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN and the European Union.
Iran denies Western assertions that it is developing nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes.Iran denies Western assertions that it is developing nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes.
The US also signed on Tuesday an agreement with the Czech Republic to build a radar station near Prague as part of a defence shield to shoot down incoming missiles from what Washington calls "rogue states" such as Iran.The US also signed on Tuesday an agreement with the Czech Republic to build a radar station near Prague as part of a defence shield to shoot down incoming missiles from what Washington calls "rogue states" such as Iran.
The move drew immediate criticism from Russia, which warned that it would proceed with its own military deployments.The move drew immediate criticism from Russia, which warned that it would proceed with its own military deployments.