Iran says it test fired ballistic missile that can reach Israel

Iranian ballistic missile WIKI COMMONS PHOTO
Iranian ballistic missile WIKI COMMONS PHOTO

Iran has test-fired a high-precision ballistic missile that can reach Israel.

The successful guided missile test announced on Monday in Tehran has a range of 2,000 kilometers, or more than 1,200 miles, and a high range of accuracy, the state-run Tasnim News Agency reported.

The test took place two weeks ago, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Ali Abdollahi announced Monday at a scientific conference in Tehran, Tasnim reported.

He gave no further detail nor did he give the name of the rocket.

Abdollahi also reportedly said that the headquarters of the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has allocated 10 per cent of the defence budget to research projects aimed at strengthening defence power.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will continue to strengthen its military capabilities such as missiles, and that Iran’s defence capabilities will be never subject to negotiations, according to Tasnim.

In March, the Revolutionary Guard in Iran conducted tests of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, which it said were not capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

In October, Iran tested a new guided long-range ballistic missile, which may have violated the nuclear deal agreed upon in July with the world powers, as well as a Security Council resolution that bars Iran from developing missiles “designed to carry nuclear warheads.”