Tehran tests most powerful missile
DUBAI— Iran said on Saturday that it had successfully tested a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers and would keep developing its arsenal despite US pressure to stop.
The United States has imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, saying its missile tests violated a UN resolution, which calls on Tehran not to undertake activities related to missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran said it had no such plans.
US President Donald Trump said on Twitter that the missile test illustrated the weakness of the Iran nuclear deal reached by his predecessor, Barack Obama.
He also linked the action to recent aggressive moves by North Korea.
“Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea,” Trump said on Twitter. “Not much of an agreement we have!”
Carrying warheads
Iran said in its announcement on Saturday that the Khorramshahr missile could carry several warheads.
State broadcaster IRIB carried footage of the missile test without giving its time or location. It included a video from an onboard camera which it said showed the detachment of the cone that carries multiple warheads.
“You are seeing images of the successful test of the Khorramshahr ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km, the latest missile of our country,” the state television said, adding this was Iran’s third missile with such a range.
The Khorramshahr was first displayed at a military parade on Friday, where President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would strengthen its missile capabilities.
‘Extremely concerned’
Britain voiced concerns about the latest test.
“Extremely concerned by reports of Iran missile test, which is inconsistent with UN resolution 2231. Call on Iran to halt provocative acts,” British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter.
France also said it was extremely concerned and called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to carry out a full report on the launch.
Iran denied its missile development had breached the UN resolution and said its missiles were not for nuclear weapons.
“The weight of the Khorramshahr missile’s warhead has been announced to be 1,800 kg, ... making it Iran’s most powerful missile,” the state television said.