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Iran - Longest range missiles capable of hitting US bases in GCC

Global Arab Network - - Adam Turner

Monday, 28 September 2009 14:27

Iran has test-fired two long-range missiles which defence analysts say are capable of hitting Israel or US bases in the Gulf region, flexing its military muscle ahead of this week's crucial talks with major powers worried about Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The missile drills of the elite Revolutionary Guards coincide with escalating tension in Iran's nuclear dispute with the West, after last week's disclosure by Tehran that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.

News of the nuclear fuel facility south of Tehran added urgency to the rare meeting in Geneva on Thursday between Iranian officials and representatives of six major powers, including the United States, China and Russia.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who says any military action against Iran would only "buy time" and stresses the need for diplomacy, mentioned possible new sanctions on banking and equipment and technology for Iran's oil and gas industry.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said there was no link between the missile manoeuvres and the nuclear activities.

"This is a military drill which is deterrent in nature," spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a news conference broadcast by English-language Press TV. "There is no connection whatsoever with the nuclear programme."

Press TV said the Shahab 3, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of up to 2,000 km (1,250 miles), was "successfully" test-fired on the second day of an exercise that began on Sunday, when short and medium-range missiles were launched.

Britain, France and the European Union all expressed their "concern" after the tests, which come just days before Tehran is due to meet the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, to discuss its nuclear programme.

"We call on Iran to choose the path of co-operation rather than confrontation, by immediately ceasing these deeply destabilising activities," a statement from the French foreign ministry said.
But Russia, which has repeatedly resisted attempts to increase sanctions against Iran over its nuclear enrichment work, urged calm from the negotiating powers.

"Now is not the time to succumb to emotions. It is necessary to calm down and, above all, to start up an effective negotiation process," the Interfax news agency quoted a Russian foreign ministry source as saying.

Iranian officials have said the Shahab 3, which was last tested in mid-2008, and Sejil can both travel about 2,000km.
"Iranian missiles are able to target any place that threatens Iran," Abdollah Araqi, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.

Earlier on Monday, Iran test-fired Shahab 1 and Shahab 2 missiles capable of hitting targets between 300km and 700km away.
The missile tests come at a time of increased tension after last week's disclosure by Tehran that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.

Following Friday's tests, Ahmad Vahidi, the Iranian defence minister, had warned Israel against any attack on the Islamic republic.
"If this happens, which of course we do not foresee, its ultimate result would be that it expedites the Zionist regime's last breath," he said in an interview broadcast on state television. (CBS, Reuters, AFP, Guardian, AP, Fars News Agency)

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