Iran fires test missile capable of reaching Israel

IRAN has claimed a successful test firing of an upgraded version of its longest-range missile which is capable of reaching Israel.

Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the Sajjil-2 was a high-speed, surface-to-surface missile that would serve as a strong deterrent against any possible foreign attack.

“Given its high speed,” he said, “it is impossible to destroy the missile with anti-missile systems because of its radar-evading ability.”

The Sajjil-2 is a two-stage missile with a range of about 2,000km. That range places Israel, Iran’s sworn enemy, well within reach and brings south-eastern Europe into range with greater precision than earlier models. It is Iran’s most advanced two-stage missile and is powered entirely by solid fuel while the older, long-range Shahab-3 missile uses a combination of solid and liquid fuel in its most advanced form.

Israel declined to comment on the test.

Iran has intensified its missile development programme in recent years, a source of serious concern in Israel and the West at a time when they accuse Tehran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

Israel has not ruled out a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran, in turn, has threatened that such an attack would be retaliated against with strikes on Israel’s own nuclear sites.

Solid-fuel missiles like the Sajjil-2 are more accurate than the liquid fuel missiles of similar range currently possessed by Iran. The country has for several years had a solid-fuel missile, the Fateh, but with the much shorter range of 200km.

Iran’s arms manufacturing programme began during the country’s ruinous 1980-88 war with neighbouring Iraq to compensate for a US arms embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane. The weapons’ capabilities, including the accuracy and range of the country’s home-made missiles, are difficult to ascertain given the secrecy of Iran’s military.