This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8059104.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Iran 'test launches' medium-range missile | Iran 'test launches' medium-range missile |
(10 minutes later) | |
Iran says it has successfully test launched a mid-range surface-to-surface missile, state media has reported. | Iran says it has successfully test launched a mid-range surface-to-surface missile, state media has reported. |
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Sajjil-2 missile used "advanced technology" and had "landed exactly" on the unspecified target. | President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Sajjil-2 missile used "advanced technology" and had "landed exactly" on the unspecified target. |
He was speaking in Semnan, from where the missile, with a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was reportedly launched. | He was speaking in Semnan, from where the missile, with a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), was reportedly launched. |
Correspondents say the test may be seen as provocative by Iran's Arab neighbours and its enemies in the West. | Correspondents say the test may be seen as provocative by Iran's Arab neighbours and its enemies in the West. |
"The defence minister [Mohammed Najjar] told me today that we launched a Sajjil-2 missile, which is a two-stage missile and it has reached the intended target," Mr Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the northern town. | |
He said the missile used solid fuel and was "able to go beyond the atmosphere then come back and hit its target". | He said the missile used solid fuel and was "able to go beyond the atmosphere then come back and hit its target". |
Iran tested a Sajjil missile in November last year, which was described by officials at the time as a highly accurate "defensive" weapon. | |
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the Sajjil-2 is one of Iran's longest range rockets and the launch is likely to be criticised by the West. | |
It is hard to tell whether the launch was deliberately provocative, but the fact that it was announced by the president means it is probably intended as a political message, says our correspondent. | |
The announcement came shortly after Mr Ahmadinejad was confirmed as one of the four candidates cleared to stand in Iran 12 June presidential elections. |