Iran claimed Saturday it has successfully test-fired an upgraded version of a short-range ballistic missile with improved accuracy, increasing the Islamic Republic's capability to strike both land and naval targets.

Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said the solid-fueled Fateh-110 has a range of 185 miles. He claimed the weapon could strike with pin-point precision, making it the most accurate weapon of its kind in Iran's arsenal...

Iran's military leaders have said they believe future wars will be air- and sea-based and Tehran has sought to upgrade its air defense systems and naval power in anticipation of such a possibility.

Iran has also been pushing to upgrade its missiles, which already can target Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East. The Pentagon released a report in June noting significant advances in Iranian missile technology, acknowledging that the Islamic Republic has improved the accuracy and firing capabilities of its missiles.

The Fateh-110, or Conqueror, is a single-stage solid-propellant, surface-to-surface missile put into service in 2002. The earlier version of the domestically-produced missile had a range of 120 miles. The weapon was developed by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization.

Iran also has a variety of longer-ranged missiles including a Shahab-3 variant with a range of 1,200 miles that can reach Israel and southern Europe. Many of its missiles could in theory carry a nuclear warhead.

Iran considers both the United States and Israel as potential adversaries. Neither country has ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear program, which they claim is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes.

Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement that it was concerned by the reports of the missile test.

"This move calls into question again Iran's stated commitment to a purely peaceful nuclear program," the ministry said Saturday. "We remain concerned that Iran continues to develop missile technology with the clear intention of extending the range and sophistication of its missiles."

Israel is about 600 miles away from Iran's western borders, while the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, some 120 miles from Iranian shores in the Persian Gulf.

READ FULL SOURCE ARTICLE


The BasicsProject.org informational and educational pamphlet series is now available for Kindle and iPad. Click here to find out more...

The New Media Journal and BasicsProject.org are not funded by outside sources. We exist exclusively on tax deductible donations from our readers and contributors. Please make a tax deductible donation today.