Iran Test-Fires Medium-Range Missile, Denies It Poses Threat
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TEHRAN — Iran test-fired the Shahab-3 missile Saturday, Tehran television reported, the second trial in two years for the medium-range weapon capable of reaching Israel or U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia.
The state broadcast said the test was in line with Iran’s “policy of strengthening its defense capability on the basis of the principle of deterrence.”
“This test is not in any way a threat to another country,” it quoted an unidentified military source as saying.
The Defense Ministry refused to comment.
A senior Israeli military intelligence official said that although the test shows for the first time that Iran has the ability to strike Israel, “it’s not an immediate threat.”
“At this rate, Iran will have the beginnings of a nuclear capability by 2005, and will have viable bombs by 2010,” the official said. He accused Russia of helping Iran develop the missiles.
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