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Iran tests longest range missiles Iran tests longest range missiles
(about 1 hour later)
Iran has successfully test-fired some of the longest range missiles in its arsenal, state media say.Iran has successfully test-fired some of the longest range missiles in its arsenal, state media say.
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 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 missiles' range could potentially permit them to reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf, analysts say.The missiles' range could potentially permit them to reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf, analysts say.
The tests come amid heightened tension with the big international powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.The tests come amid heightened tension with the big international powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Last week, 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.
ANALYSIS Jon Leyne, BBC Tehran correspondentANALYSIS Jon Leyne, BBC Tehran correspondent
The big fear is that ultimately Iran will have a fully-fledged inter-continental ballistic missile.The big fear is that ultimately Iran will have a fully-fledged inter-continental ballistic missile.
These missiles already cover pretty much the whole of the Middle East and a good chunk of Turkey as well, and maybe the fringes of Europe.These missiles already cover pretty much the whole of the Middle East and a good chunk of Turkey as well, and maybe the fringes of Europe.
I think Iran would say with some justice its missile programme is the strongest deterrent it has got.I think Iran would say with some justice its missile programme is the strongest deterrent it has got.
It probably cannot prevent Western jets getting through and Western missiles getting through.It probably cannot prevent Western jets getting through and Western missiles getting through.
But it could - and I think Israel knows for example - that if it did strike Iran, it would have to take into account the possibility of really substantial casualties if Iran did unleash its long-range missile pack.But it could - and I think Israel knows for example - that if it did strike Iran, it would have to take into account the possibility of really substantial casualties if Iran did unleash its long-range missile pack.
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.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.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said the missile tests were merely part of an annual military drill, known as Sacred Defence Week, to commemorate its war with Iraq in the 1980s.Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said the missile tests were merely part of an annual military drill, known as Sacred Defence Week, to commemorate its war with Iraq in the 1980s.
It was not a reaction to the nuclear crisis, he added.It was not a reaction to the nuclear crisis, he added.
"Many countries have these [displays] and it has nothing to do with Iran's peaceful nuclear technology," he told a news conference."Many countries have these [displays] and it has nothing to do with Iran's peaceful nuclear technology," he told a news conference.
France called on Tehran to immediately stop "these deeply destabilising activities".France called on Tehran to immediately stop "these deeply destabilising activities".
In a statement, the foreign ministry urged Iran to co-operate "by responding without delay to the demands of the international community to reach a negotiated settlement on the nuclear question".In a statement, the foreign ministry urged Iran to co-operate "by responding without delay to the demands of the international community to reach a negotiated settlement on the nuclear question".
Sanctions threat But Russia appealed for restraint, saying the world should not "succumb to emotions" in dealing with Iran.
"The main thing is to launch productive negotiations [with Iran]," a foreign ministry source told Interfax news agency.
Gesture of defiance
"An improved version of Shahab-3 and the two-stage Sajjil, powered by solid fuel, were fired," the Guards' air force commander Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by the state-owned Arabic language TV channel al-Alam."An improved version of Shahab-3 and the two-stage Sajjil, powered by solid fuel, were fired," the Guards' air force commander Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by the state-owned Arabic language TV channel al-Alam.
Talks herald new phase for Iran Iran's arsenal of missilesTalks herald new phase for Iran Iran's arsenal of missiles
Footage of the test-firing of the Shahab-3 in desert terrain was broadcast by another state-owned channel, Press TV.Footage of the test-firing of the Shahab-3 in desert terrain was broadcast by another state-owned channel, Press TV.
The Shahab-3 (Meteor-3) is classed as a medium range ballistic missile but is the longest-range rocket Iran has successfully tested in public.The Shahab-3 (Meteor-3) is classed as a medium range ballistic missile but is the longest-range rocket Iran has successfully tested in public.
Iran says the missile, which it first tested in July 2008, can fly some 2,000km, although Western defence experts have put the strike range at 1,300km (807 miles).Iran says the missile, which it first tested in July 2008, can fly some 2,000km, although Western defence experts have put the strike range at 1,300km (807 miles).
The surface-to-surface Sajjil is a new, two-stage missile using solid fuel, which is considered to give a more accurate delivery than liquid fuel rockets.The surface-to-surface Sajjil is a new, two-stage missile using solid fuel, which is considered to give a more accurate delivery than liquid fuel rockets.
It has been tested by Iran twice, in November 2008 and May 2009.It has been tested by Iran twice, in November 2008 and May 2009.
The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says Iran's enemies might be most worried by the test-firing of the Sajjil missile.The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says Iran's enemies might be most worried by the test-firing of the Sajjil missile.
It is more advanced, and multiple stage rockets offer the potential for longer ranges, he says.It is more advanced, and multiple stage rockets offer the potential for longer ranges, he says.
The Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets are currently believed to be capable of reaching not only Israel and US bases in the Gulf, but also parts of Europe.The Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets are currently believed to be capable of reaching not only Israel and US bases in the Gulf, but also parts of Europe.
On Sunday, the medium-range Shahab-1 and 2 missiles with a range of 300 to 700km (186 to 434 miles) were tested.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.
Although the tests are likely to have been planned in advance, Iran will not be unhappy if they are seen as a gesture of defiance by the West, our correspondent adds.Although the tests are likely to have been planned in advance, Iran will not be unhappy if they are seen as a gesture of defiance by the West, our correspondent adds.
Telecoms move
Iran is under increasing pressure to co-operate fully over its nuclear ambitions - particularly since the revelation of a previously undisclosed uranium enrichment plant.Iran is under increasing pressure to co-operate fully over its nuclear ambitions - particularly since the revelation of a previously undisclosed uranium enrichment plant.
The Guards now own a key stake in Iran's telecommunications
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.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.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.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.
In a separate development, Iranian state media report that a consortium linked to the Revolutionary Guards has bought a majority share in the state telecommunications company.
The Revolutionary Guards led the government response to the street protests that followed the disputed re-election of President Ahmadinejad - himself a former guard - in June.
During the demonstrations, the authorities interrupted mobile phone networks, hindering the opposition movement.
The Revolutionary Guard was set up shortly after the revolution to defend the country's Islamic system.
It has since become a major military, political and economic force, with close ties to the leadership.