Iran - nuclear tensions

Iran test fires long-range Shahab-3 missile

Article published on the 2009-09-28 Latest update 2009-09-28 13:01 TU

Iran's nuclear fuel facility near Qom, pictured in a GeoEye satellite photograph
(Photo: Reuters)

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have test-fired the long-range Shahab-3 missile, which Tehran says is capable of hitting targets in Israel, the English-language Press TV said.

The station broadcast footage of the missile being fired from desert terrain, and tensions are mounting between Tehran and Western powers over Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran says the weapon has a range of 1,300 to 2,000 kilometres, which would put Israel, most Arab states and parts of Europe including much of Turkey within its range.

On the weekend, the country also launched short-range missiles as part of several days of war games. The manoeuvres come after last week’s disclosure by Tehran that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.

Middle East expert George Joffe told RFI the timing of these missile tests seems to be linked to the renewal of talks on 1 October between Iran and the group of six - where the United States will appear formally for the first time.

"Iran is simply demonstrating its military muscle to show it is prepared to be reckoned with,” he said. “Whether or not it has really got ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons, the suspicion that it has those ambitions is now bound to grow - and all it is doing is demonstrating that it's not prepared to knuckle under to Western demands.”

The United States, which suspects Iran is seeking to build nuclear bombs, has previously expressed concern about Tehran’s missile programme. Iran says its nuclear work is solely for peaceful power generation purposes.