TEHRAN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Defense Minister
Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said Wednesday that Iran's missile capacity is only for
defensive purposes, Iran's satellite channel Press TV reported.
"Our missile capacity is just for defensive purposes,
to safeguard peace in Iran and the Persian Gulf region," Najjar was quoted as
saying.
A video grab from Al Alam television
shows one of nine long- and medium-range missiles being fired during a
test in Iran July 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
"Our missiles will not be used to threaten any
country and they are only intended for those who dare attack Iran," he added.
The Iranian defense minister made the remarks shortly
after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully test fired new
long- and mid-range missiles in response to threats from the United States and
Israel.
In military exercises dubbed Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great
Prophet 3), the IRGC on earlier Wednesday test fired a Shahab 3 missile, which
can hit any target within a range of 2,000 km, Press TV said.
A video grab from Al Alam television
shows three of nine long- and medium-range missiles being fired during a
test in Iran July 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
The Shahab 3 ballistic missile was equipped with a
one-ton conventional warhead, it added.
Altogether, nine highly advanced missiles with
improved accuracy were tested, including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with
ranges of 400 km and 170 km respectively.
The Payambar-e Azam 3 war games were conducted by
missile units of the IRGC's naval and air forces, Press TV reported.
IRGC Air Force Commander Hossein Salami said the aim
of the war games were to demonstrate "just how strong-willed the Islamic
Republic is in defending its sovereignty against any challenges by those enemies
that have used harsh and threatening words against Iran in recent weeks."
The United States and its allies have accused Iran of
trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs.
Iran has denied the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful
purposes only.
The Bush administration said it focused on diplomacy
to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, but has insisted that it will take "no
option off the table."
Some observers believe that it is still possible that
the United States and Israel would attack Iranian targets for Tehran's
suspicious nuclear programs.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
holds a news briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, June 5, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
WASHINGTON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary
Robert Gates said Wednesday that the United States and Iran are not close to a
military confrontation after Iran test-fired long and medium range missiles.
When asked if the two countries are close to a military
confrontation, Gates said, "No I don't think so." Full story
TEHRAN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution
Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully test fired new long- and mid-range missiles
in response to threats from the United States and Israel, Iran's satellite
channel Press TV reported Wednesday.
In military exercises dubbed Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great
Prophet 3), the IRGC test fired a Shahab 3 missile, which can hit any target
within a range of 2,000 km, Press TV said. Full story
BERLIN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Germany was concerned with
Iran's missile tests and urged Tehran to halt "all form of saber rattling", a
government spokesman said on Wednesday.
"The German government calls on Iran to halt all form of
saber rattling," German government spokesman Thomas Steg told a regular press
conference. Full story
