An Iranian senior official announced Tuesday that Iran tested a new land-to-sea ballistic missile in the Persian Gulf, reports Reuters:
Israel has publicly warned of possible air strikes on Iran's nuclear sites if Tehran does not resolve Western suspicions it is developing nuclear weapons know-how under cover of a declared civilian atomic energy programme, something Tehran denies.
Iran has threatened to hit Israel and U.S. bases in the region if it comes under attack, and also to block the Strait of Hormuz, the neck of the Gulf through which 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil exports pass.
"The defense ministry has been able to test a new missile in the Persian Gulf which has a high ability to hit targets," General Majid Bokaei, Iran's deputy defense minister, was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA, which described the missile as a ballistic missile.
Bokaei has not disclosed when the launch occurred or the range of the missile. The announcement comes days before the Islamic Republic’s National Army Day on April 18 to celebrate the military.
