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Iran 'launches two new ballistic missiles' | Iran 'launches two new ballistic missiles' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Iran has launched two new ballistic missiles, state media say, continuing a military exercise that has drawn a threat of a US diplomatic response. | Iran has launched two new ballistic missiles, state media say, continuing a military exercise that has drawn a threat of a US diplomatic response. |
The Revolutionary Guards launched the missiles from northern Iran against targets in the south-east, reports say. | The Revolutionary Guards launched the missiles from northern Iran against targets in the south-east, reports say. |
On Tuesday, the country said it had launched several ballistic missiles as part of the same exercise. | On Tuesday, the country said it had launched several ballistic missiles as part of the same exercise. |
In January, the US imposed sanctions targeting Iran's missile programme in response to a previous round of tests. | In January, the US imposed sanctions targeting Iran's missile programme in response to a previous round of tests. |
UN experts said those tests had violated a Security Council resolution. | UN experts said those tests had violated a Security Council resolution. |
Resolution 1929, which barred Iran from undertaking any work on ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was terminated after a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers was implemented two months ago. A new resolution, 2231, then came into force that "calls upon" Iran not to undertake such activity. | Resolution 1929, which barred Iran from undertaking any work on ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was terminated after a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers was implemented two months ago. A new resolution, 2231, then came into force that "calls upon" Iran not to undertake such activity. |
Iran says it does not have nuclear weapons and will continue missile development. | Iran says it does not have nuclear weapons and will continue missile development. |
The two Qadr H and Qadr F missiles hit targets 1,400km (870 miles) away, state media reported. | The two Qadr H and Qadr F missiles hit targets 1,400km (870 miles) away, state media reported. |
The missiles were produced by Iranian experts and the "successful" drills were aimed at showcasing the country's power, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iran's English-language Press TV channel. | The missiles were produced by Iranian experts and the "successful" drills were aimed at showcasing the country's power, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iran's English-language Press TV channel. |
They had the phrase "Israel must be wiped out'' written on them, the Fars news agency reported, AP said. | They had the phrase "Israel must be wiped out'' written on them, the Fars news agency reported, AP said. |
Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards maintain dozens of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, the largest stock in the Middle East, Reuters news agency says. | Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards maintain dozens of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, the largest stock in the Middle East, Reuters news agency says. |
"The missiles fired today [Wednesday] are the results of sanctions. The sanctions helped Iran develop its missile programme," Brig Gen Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the Guards, was quoted as saying by Fars. | |
While any missile of a certain size could in theory be used to carry a nuclear warhead, Iran says its missiles are for use solely as a conventional deterrent. | While any missile of a certain size could in theory be used to carry a nuclear warhead, Iran says its missiles are for use solely as a conventional deterrent. |
It says it has ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000km (1,250 miles) that would be capable of reaching Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. | It says it has ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000km (1,250 miles) that would be capable of reaching Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. |
'We will act' | |
On Tuesday, US officials threatened to raise Iran's exercises at the UN Security Council if the reports were confirmed. But authorities said the tests would not violate the nuclear deal reached in January. | On Tuesday, US officials threatened to raise Iran's exercises at the UN Security Council if the reports were confirmed. But authorities said the tests would not violate the nuclear deal reached in January. |
Under the agreement, Iran agreed with strict limits and checks on its disputed nuclear programme. In return, economic sanctions on the country would be lifted. | Under the agreement, Iran agreed with strict limits and checks on its disputed nuclear programme. In return, economic sanctions on the country would be lifted. |
The latest exercise comes as US Vice President Joe Biden visits Iran's rival Israel. He said if Iran breaks the terms of the nuclear deal "we will act". | |
"A nuclear-armed Iran is an absolutely unacceptable threat to Israel, to the region and the United States," he said alongside Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. | |
Mr Netanyahu has described the agreement as a "historic mistake" that cleared the way for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. |