Iran has worked to improve the range and accuracy of its missiles over the past year [File:Reuters]
A military official has said that Iran successfully launched a ballistic missile in the latest of tests following the implementation of the major nuclear deal with world powers.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Brigadier General Ali Abdollahi as saying on Monday that the test-firing of the precision-guided medium-range missile was carried out two weeks ago.
“We tested a missile with a range of 2,000km and 8m error margin two weeks ago. An 8m error margin means … full accuracy,” Abdollahi was quoted as saying.
The US and some European powers have said other recent tests violated a UN resolution that prohibits Iran from firing any missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Iran has rejected the accusation, saying the missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads, which it does not possess.
In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles, with one emblazoned with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew. The move set off an international outcry.
Washington has imposed new sanctions on Tehran over the recent tests, despite the fact that it lifted nuclear-related separate sanctions in January.
The US move came after Iran implemented the nuclear deal it reached with the so-called P5+1 (namely China, France, Russia, the UK, the US and Germany) last year.
Iran has worked to improve the range and accuracy of its missiles over the past year, which it says will make them a more potent deterrent with conventional warheads against its enemy Israel.
Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in March that missile development was key to Iran’s future, in order to maintain its defensive power and resist threats from its enemies.
Official Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/iran-mid-range-ballistic-missile-test-160509085654220.html
