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Iran tests 'long-range' missile Iran tests longest-range missile
(20 minutes later)
Iran has test-fired its long-range Shahab-3 missile, the country's state TV has reported. Iran has successfully test-fired some of the longest range missiles in its arsenal, state media says.
The launch comes one day after the elite Revolutionary Guards test-fired short and medium range missiles. The Revolutionary Guards tested the Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets, which are believed to have ranges of up to 2,000km (1,240 miles), reports said.
The Shahab-3 has a range of up to 2,000km (1,240 miles), potentially putting Israel and American bases in the Gulf within range, analysts say. The missiles' range could potentially reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf, analysts say.
Iran is shortly due to hold key talks with major powers on its controversial nuclear programme. The tests come amid heightened tension with the big international powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Those talks - with the five UN Security Council members plus Germany - were given added urgency last week after Iran disclosed it was building a second uranium enrichment plant, despite UN demands that it cease its enrichment activities. Last week, Iran disclosed it was building a second uranium enrichment plant, despite UN demands that it cease its enrichment activities.
Iran is due to hold crucial talks with the five UN Security Council members plus Germany on Thursday on a wide range of security issues, including its nuclear programme.
'Secret plant'
"Iran successfully test-fires long-range Shahab 3 missile," Iran's Press TV said in a breaking news headline."Iran successfully test-fires long-range Shahab 3 missile," Iran's Press TV said in a breaking news headline.
The Shahab-3 missile test is part of several days of military war game exercises known as Sacred Defence Week. MAXIMUM MISSILE RANGE Shahab-3b: 2,500kmSajjil-1 and 2: 2,000kmShahab-3a: 1,800kmShahab-3: 1,300kmShahab-2: 500kmZelzal: up to 400kmFateh: 170kmTondar: 150km Sources: GlobalSecurity.org,AFP, Jane's,Arms Control Association class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7499601.stm">Iran's arsenal of missiles class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7866742.stm">Slow but sure missile advance
On Sunday, the medium-range Shahab 1 and 2 missiles with a range of 300 to 700km (186 to 434 miles) were tested. Shortly after, the Fars news agency reported that a second missile, the two-stage Sajjil, was tested.
These tests are part of several days of military war game exercises known as Sacred Defence Week.
On Sunday, the medium-range Shahab-1 and 2 missiles with a range of 300 to 700km (186 to 434 miles) were tested.
The short-range Tondar-69 and Fateh-110 type, with a range of up to 170km (100 miles), were also tested.The short-range Tondar-69 and Fateh-110 type, with a range of up to 170km (100 miles), were also tested.
But the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says that the testing of the Shahab-3 missile will be of most concern to the West, because of its range. But the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says that the testing of the longer range missiles will be of most concern to the West.
It is believed to be capable of reaching not only Israel and US bases in the Gulf, but also parts of Europe including Turkey. The Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets are believed to be capable of reaching not only Israel and US bases in the Gulf, but also parts of Europe including Turkey.
Although the tests will have been planned in advance, Iran is unlikely to be unhappy if they are seen as a gesture of defiance by the West, our correspondent adds.Although the tests will have been planned in advance, Iran is unlikely to be unhappy if they are seen as a gesture of defiance by the West, our correspondent adds.
They come four days before Iran meets the so-called P5+1 to discuss a range of issues, including its nuclear programme. Iran is under increasingly pressure to co-operate fully over its nuclear ambitions - particularly since the revelation of a previously undisclosed uranium enrichment plant.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has insisted that the plant, near the holy city of Qom, does not breach UN regulations and says it is open for inspection by UN experts.
But leaders of the US, Britain and France accuse Tehran of keeping the plant secret in breach of UN rules.
They have raised the prospect of new, tougher sanctions against Iran if Thursday's meeting with the so-called P5+1 (US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) yields little progress.