Iran claims successful test of missile capable of reaching Israel
Published September 24, 2017
(JTA) — Iran successfully tested a new medium-range missile, capable of reaching both Israel and U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf.
The announcement was made Saturday by the country’s defense minister, Amir Hatami. “As long as some speak in the language of threats, the strengthening of the country’s defense capabilities will continue and Iran will not seek permission from any country for producing various kinds of missile,” he said in a statement Saturday.
The missile, dubbed Khoramshahr, reportedly has a range of 1,250 miles and can carry multiple warheads.
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Footage of the missile test, including from a camera mounted on the missile, was shown on Iran’s state television, though it did not say when the test took place.
Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman in a statement that he also posted on his Facebook page, called the missile test “a provocation to the United States and its allies, including Israel,” as well as “further proof of Iran’s ambition to become a global power that threatens not only the Middle East, but all the countries of the free world.”
“Imagine what would happen if Iran would obtain nuclear weapons, which is where she is headed. We cannot let this happen,” Liberman also said.
President Donald Trump, who has threatened to renegotiate or to dump the Iran nuclear agreement signed by the world powers with the Islamic Republic in 2015, that trades sanctions relief for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, tweeted about the missile test on Saturday following Iran’s announcement.
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“Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have!” he wrote.
Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel.They are also working with North Korea.Not much of an agreement we have!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
According to U.S. law, Oct. 15 is the next deadline for Trump to certify that Iran is abiding by the deal.
During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the altering or scrapping of the deal.
