Seattle Bulletin
24 Sep 2017, 03:52 GMT+10
TEHRAN, Iran - In a dramatic response to U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran tested a new ballistic missile that is reportedly capable of carrying multiple warheads and can easily strike Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The ballistic missile, which was unveiled at a military parade in Tehran was successfully tested the same day.
Iran's Press TV reported the test and released footage of the test-launch.
The weapon, called the Khorramshahr missile has a range of 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers).
The broadcaster said, "The Khorramshahr missile has become smaller in size and more tactical and it will be operational in the near future."
Outlining the missile's "unique specifications" Iran's Defence Minister, Gen Amir Hatami said, "The ability to evade the enemy's air defence line and to be guided from the moment of launch until the target is hit turns Khoramshahr into a tactical missile. Iran would not seek permission from any country for producing various kinds of missile."
Addressing the parade on Friday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran would press ahead with strengthening its missile capabilities and military defenses.
Rouhani said, "We will promote our defensive and military power as much as we deem necessary. We seek no one's permission to defend our land. Whether you like it or not we are going to help Syria, Yemen and Palestine, and we will strengthen our missiles."
Rouhani further added that the U.S. and Israel have isolated themselves by opposing the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the other major powers.
He further added that Iran remains fully committed to the pact.
Last week, as part of the agreement, the U.S. extended sanctions relief for Iran, which Trump has described as "the worst deal ever."
While the move was mainly procedural, it was significant since reimposing nuclear-related sanctions could lead Iran to end its compliance with the deal and revert back to rapid uranium enrichment.
It has already threatened to pace up its uranium enrichment activity if the United States reneges.
In October, Trump will have to decide whether to certify that Iran is complying with the agreement or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
If Trump does not then, Congress will have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions waived under the deal.
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that although the 2015 Iran deal was not perfect, the international community should stick with it or risk facing another situation like North Korea.
He also called for a new agreement to monitor Iran's missile development.
Speaking in a CNN interview, Macron said, "We have to work in order to have a monitoring process on the ballistic activity of Iran. That is a concern for the whole region."
According to Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director of a think-tank, the Institute for Internal Strategic Studies-Americas, Iran is known to have a missile with a range capable of reaching Israel.
He said that what's new is that Iran says its ballistic missiles can carry multiple warheads and maybe several cluster bombs.
Fitzpatrick, who also heads the think tank's Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Program added, "It has the potential to carry nuclear warheads, but I am skeptical as to whether it can carry multiple ones because nuclear warheads are so large."
He said that he agrees it would be a good idea to extend the Iran nuclear deal to include ballistic missiles.
Adding, "But it is no good talking about this if the US is not honoring the nuclear agreement."
On Tuesday, the UN criticised Iran's missile programme and the 2015 nuclear deal with the country.
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