Iran says it successfully tested ballistic missile that can reach US and Israeli bases in region
- State TV aired footage said to show the launch of an upgraded version of the Khoramshahr 4, which is able to carry a 1,500kg warhead
- The liquid-fuel missile is called the ‘Kheibar’, a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam
Iran successfully test-launched a ballistic missile with a potential 2,000km range on Thursday, state media said, two days after the chief of Israel’s armed forces raised the prospect of “action” against Tehran over its nuclear programme.
Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, says its weapons are capable of reaching the bases of arch-foes Israel and the United States in the region.
Despite US and European opposition, the Islamic Republic has said it will further develop its “defensive” missile programme.
“Our message to Iran’s enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help regional stability,” Iranian Defence Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani said.
State television broadcast a few seconds of footage of what it said was the launch of an upgraded version of Iran’s Khoramshahr 4 ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km (1,243 miles) and able to carry a 1,500kg (3,300-pound) warhead.
The state news agency IRNA said the liquid-fuel missile had been named the “Kheibar”, a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam.