Iran carries out further missile tests

Updated 10.42 Thu Jul 10 2008

Keywords: Obama, George Bush, tests, missile, Iran, US

Iran has carried out further missile tests in the Persian Gulf, a day after nine long-range rockets were fired.

Speculation continues to mount that Iran could target Israel having tested its Shahab-3 rocket which has a range of approximately 1,200 miles.

"We warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch" - Hossein Salami

The US has said Iran should halt further tests if it wants to gain the world's trust, amid fears the country is advancing its nuclear programme. Washington has not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to end the row.

Iran has responded by saying it will hit Tel Aviv, as well as US interests and shipping, if attacked.

Iranian radio said: "Deep in the Persian Gulf waters, the launch of different types of ground-to-sea, surface-to-surface, sea-to-air and the powerful launch of the Hout missile successfully took place."

Meanwhile, Israel, which carried out a major air drill last month to prepare for any such eventuality, has said it will publicly display its Eitam advanced aircraft that can spy on Iran in response to the missile tests.

On Wednesday, Revolutionary Guards air force commander Hossein Salami said his country has thousands of missiles ready to be fired at "pre-determined targets". TV pictures showed missiles soaring from desert launchpads, leaving long vapour trails.

Mr Salami added: "We warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch."

World leaders meeting in Japan for the G8 summit expressed "serious concern" over the country's failure to comply with UN Security Council resolutions calling for all enrichment-related activities to be halted.

The G8 statement said: "We call on Iran to respond to the updated incentives package in a constructive manner."

The statement added: "We also urge Iran to act in a more responsible and constructive manner in the region, particularly in the context of the Middle East peace process and the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan."

Last month, six major world powers offered a package of economic incentives to Iran if it suspended its nuclear activities.