Iran issues vague denial about troubling missile test - News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

by News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

"We haven't test-fired a missile with the range media reported," Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan says in attempt to downplay test of projectile capable of reaching Israel • Test flouts Security Council's call on Iran to curtail missile program.

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan | Photo credit: Reuters

Iran's defense minister on Monday issued a vague denial after a media outlet close to the elite Revolutionary Guard said Monday that it had test-fired a ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) two weeks ago.

"We haven't test-fired a missile with the range media reported," Gen. Hossein Dehghan told the official Islamic Republic News Agency, without elaborating. He did not say whether the military had conducted a recent missile test. 

The earlier report was carried by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard. The Guard is in charge of Iran's ballistic missile program.

Tasnim quoted Gen. Ali Abdollahi as saying the latest missiles could strike within eight meters (yards) of their target. "Eight meters means nothing, it means it's without any error," he said, without elaborating.

Iran has long boasted of having missiles that can travel over 1,000 miles, placing much of the Middle East, including Israel, in range. Iran says its missiles, which could also strike U.S. bases in the region, are key to deterring a U.S. or Israeli attack.

In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles -- one emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew -- setting off an international outcry.

The nuclear deal reached with world powers last year does not include provisions against missile tests. When it came into effect in January, the Security Council lifted most U.N. sanctions against Tehran, including a 2010 ban on testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Nevertheless, last July the council adopted a resolution that "calls on" Iran not to carry out such tests.

The United States and some European powers have said other recent tests violate a U.N. resolutions barring Iran from firing any missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Iran says the missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads, which it does not possess.

Washington has imposed new sanctions on Tehran over recent tests, even after it lifted nuclear-related sanctions in January as Tehran implemented the nuclear deal it reached with world powers last year.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in March that missile development was key to Iran's future.

News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33599

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