Iranian military tests short-range missiles (Roundup)

Sep 27, 2009, 7:45 GMT

   Tehran - Iran's Revolutionary Guards started missile tests on Sunday during military manoeuvres, the Press TV network reported.

   The report said new short-range missiles and launchers were being tested.

   Military spokesman General Hossein Salami said the Great Prophet IV manoeuvres were aimed at 'increasing the country's defensive capability in case of a long-lasting foreign invasion.'

   He said assessing recent technical developments and tactical progress made in the surface-to-surface missile system was among the objectives of the manoeuvres.

   Salami said the exercises were also aimed at practicing management of long-term preventive and defensive operations.

   The missile tests will be held in different stages and at various sites, the general said.

   The tests follow harsh Western reactions toward the establishment of a second uranium-enrichment plant 100 kilometres south of Tehran, and renewed suspicion that Iran was working on a secret nuclear programme.

The main military concern of Western powers is Iran's Shahab-3 missiles, which reportedly have a range of 2,000 kilometres and therefore capable of targeting any part of Israeli territory.

   General Salami said the long-range missiles would be tested on the second day of the manoeuvres on Monday.

   Iranian military commanders have several times warned that if Israel attacked the country's nuclear sites, they would use the Shahab-3 against the Jewish state.