Iran/US - missile test

Iran tests missile as US House approves sanctions

Article published on the 2009-12-16 Latest update 2009-12-16 11:32 TU

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
(Photo: Reuters/Fouzia Hamza)

Iran has test-fired an upgraded version of its Sejil 2 medium-range missile which it says can reach targets inside Israel. The test came just hours after the US House of Representatives approved sanctions legislation aimed at forcing Iran to freeze its nuclear programme.

Wednesday's test was aimed at bolstering the country's defences and insisted missiles would not be used for offensive purposes, Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said.

"The missile test that we witness today is one ring of our defence capability chain in line with increasing the armed forces' deterrent power," Vahidi was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency.

“Iran's missile capability is merely defensive and for peace, stability and calm in the region and will not be used against any country."

Vahidi said the latest version of the Sejil, which can travel 2,000 kilometres, was impossible to destroy because of the very high speed at which it hits the ground. It also has anti-radar capability.

The test has raised concerns that Iran is continuing to develop a nuclear military capacity, something that it has consistently denied.

Iran is under three sets of UN sanctions for its refusal to suspend enrichment and risks a further round after rejecting a UN-brokered deal to send its low enriched uranium abroad to be further refined into fuel for a research reactor.

The missile test was criticised by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, currently in Copenhagen, who said he had discussed the matter with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

"I have expressed to him and he has also expressed concern about the test of a long-range missile by Iran," Brown said, according to his Downing Street office in London.

"This is a matter of serious concern to the international community and it does make the case for us moving further on sanctions. We will treat this with the seriousness it deserves."

In Washington, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly agreed to sanctions legislation which would deprive Iran of petrol.

The measure would empower US President Barack Obama to block firms that supply Iran with refined petroleum products, or the ability to import or produce them at home, from doing business in the United States.

"The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is the most serious and urgent strategic challenge faced by the United States, and we must use all of the diplomatic means at our disposal - including tougher sanctions - to prevent that from becoming a reality," said Democratic Representative Howard Berman, the measure's lead author and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The House passed the bill, which has yet to clear the Senate, by a 412-12 margin.

Another Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch, however, criticised the bill, comparing it to the US embargo on Cuba and warning it would cause Iranians to "rally around the flag" against the United States and "undermine" pro-democracy protesters.

"This will unify the Iranian people against us," agreed Republican Representative Ron Paul who was also against the sanctions.