Iran - missiles fired

Iran test-fires missiles

Article published on the 2009-09-27 Latest update 2009-09-27 14:38 TU

Footage of a missile launch is seen at an unknown location in this video grab from Iranian state television Press TV
(Photo: Reuters)

Iran test-fired three short-rang missiles at the start of several days of war games on Sunday. Its nuclear chief has promised that it will not enrich uranium to bomb grade, amid controversy over its revelation that it is building another nuclear power plant.

A "multiple missile launcher" was tested for the first time by Revolutionary Guards on Sunday, according to Guards air force commander Hossein Salami.

He said that a Shahab-1 and Shahab-2, both medium-range, would also be fired Sunday and a long-range Shabab-3 will be tested Monday.

"This exercise has a message of friendship for friendly countries," the commander said, according to state television. "For greedy countries that seek to intimidate us, the message is that we are capable of a prompt and crushing response to their animosity."

But he dismissed Israel as a potential threat.

"That regime is not in a position that we need to comment about threats from it," he was quoted as saying.

As pressure builds over its announcement that it has been secretly building another nuclear plant, Tehran's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, announced that it will keep its enrichment level below five per cent, much lower than bomb-grade. 

Salehi said that a research reactor in Tehran needs 20 per cent fuel but Iran is reported to be planning to import enriched fuel, if a meeting with foreign powers in Geneva on 1 October allows it to do so.