Missile can hit multiple targets, claims Iran

IRAN successfully test-fired a missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads, the country's military said yesterday.

General Hossein Salami, the air force chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards, did not specify the missile's range, saying it depends on the weight of its warheads.

But state-run television described the weapon as "ballistic" - suggesting it is of comparable range to Iran's existing ballistic rocket, which can travel 2,010 kilometres and reach Israel and US bases in the Middle East.

The UN Security Council is demanding that Iran halts its uranium enrichment activities. But an Iranian envoy said its activities are "not reversible".

Britain has warned that Iran could eventually face UN sanctions if it failed to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for nuclear power stations or nuclear bombs.

However, UN nuclear watchdog boss Mohamed ElBaradei said Iran posed no imminent threat.

"We need to lower the pitch," the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. "My message to Iran is that the international community is getting impatient and you need to respond by arming me with information."

Iran rejected a UN Security Council statement adopted on Wednesday calling for an enrichment freeze and a report from the IAEA on Iranian compliance in 30 days.

"Today, a remarkable goal of the Islamic Republic of Iran's defence forces was realised with the successful test-firing of a new missile with greater technical and tactical capabilities than those previously produced," Gen Salami said on state-run television.

It showed a clip of the launch of what it called the Fajr-3, with 'fajr' meaning 'victory' in Farsi.

"It can avoid anti-missile missiles and strike the target," Gen Salami said.

He said the missile would carry a multiple warhead, and each warhead would be capable of hitting its target precisely.

The existing rocket is the Shahab-3, which also is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Israel and the US have jointly developed the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system in response to Shahab-3's threat.

Iran launched an arms development programme during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a US weapons embargo.

Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.

Gen Salami said yesterday the Iranian-made missile was test-fired as large military manoeuvres began in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

The tests come amid growing concern over Iran's nuclear program. The US and its allies believe Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran denies that, saying its programme is for generating electricity.