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Iran test-fires long range missiles in Gulf Iran denies test-firing long-range missiles in Gulf
(40 minutes later)
Iran has test-fired long-range missiles during military exercises in the Gulf, reports the semi-official Fars news agency. Iran has denied reports by state media that it test-fired long-range missiles during military exercises in the Gulf.
This comes days after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil export route, if new sanctions are imposed over its nuclear programme. "The exercise of launching missiles will be carried out in the coming days," Iran's senior navy commander is quoted as telling Iran's Press TV.
The US and its allies believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Earlier the semi-official Fars news agency and other outlets reported that land-to-sea missiles had been fired.
Iran denies this and reports say Iran's nuclear negotiator has signalled Tehran's readiness for talks. The naval exercises come at a time of increased tensions between the West and Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
On Tuesday Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil export route, if new sanctions are imposed over its nuclear programme.
The US and its allies believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons - a charge Iran denies. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful purposes. Iran has maintained that it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity to meet growing domestic demand.
But in another development, Iran's nuclear negotiator has signalled Tehran's readiness for talks.
Saeed Jalili was set to write to the European Union's foreign affairs chief to express Iran's willingness to take part in a fresh round of nuclear talks, Reuters reported, citing the semi-official Mehr news agency.Saeed Jalili was set to write to the European Union's foreign affairs chief to express Iran's willingness to take part in a fresh round of nuclear talks, Reuters reported, citing the semi-official Mehr news agency.
Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful purposes. Iran has maintained that it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity to meet growing domestic demand. The latest round of naval exercises began last week and are taking place in international waters to the east of the Strait of Hormuz. They are set to last 10 days.
But the latest round of naval exercises began last week amid rising tensions over the country's nuclear programme. "All kinds of surface-to-sea, sea-to-sea and surface-to-air as well as shoulder-launched missiles will be tested in the coming days," navy commander Mahmoud Mousavi told Iran's English-language Press TV, according to Reuters.
The exercises are taking place in international waters to the east of the Strait of Hormuz and are set to last 10 days. The missiles were fired from land into the sea.
Furious responseFurious response
Western nations recently unveiled new sanctions against Tehran following a UN report in November that said Iran had carried out tests related to "development of a nuclear device".Western nations recently unveiled new sanctions against Tehran following a UN report in November that said Iran had carried out tests related to "development of a nuclear device".
Reports that further measures were being considered to target Iran's oil and financial sectors drew a furious response from Tehran.Reports that further measures were being considered to target Iran's oil and financial sectors drew a furious response from Tehran.
Iran's vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi on Tuesday warned that "not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz" if sanctions are widened.Iran's vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi on Tuesday warned that "not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz" if sanctions are widened.
Iran's navy chief has said that closing the strait would be easy.Iran's navy chief has said that closing the strait would be easy.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf - and the oil-producing states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - to the Indian Ocean. About 40% of the world's tanker-borne oil passes through it.The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf - and the oil-producing states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - to the Indian Ocean. About 40% of the world's tanker-borne oil passes through it.
The US also maintains a naval presence in the Gulf, largely to ensure the transport of oil remains open.The US also maintains a naval presence in the Gulf, largely to ensure the transport of oil remains open.
Washington played down the Iranian threat with a state department spokesman describing it as an "attempt by them to distract attention from the real issue".Washington played down the Iranian threat with a state department spokesman describing it as an "attempt by them to distract attention from the real issue".
In 2009, Iran test-fired its Sajjil and Shahab missiles which could travel 2,000km (1,243 miles), drawing condemnation from the international community.In 2009, Iran test-fired its Sajjil and Shahab missiles which could travel 2,000km (1,243 miles), drawing condemnation from the international community.
Those tests were also carried out amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions, coming just weeks after Iran revealed the existence of a previously secret nuclear facility in the mountains near the city of Qom.Those tests were also carried out amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions, coming just weeks after Iran revealed the existence of a previously secret nuclear facility in the mountains near the city of Qom.