Iran has tested a new ballistic missile
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The move is seen as a threat to Israel. Iran says it successfully tested a ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers on Thursday. The announcement was made by Iranian state media two days after the head of the Israeli Armed Forces raised the prospect of “action” against Tehran over its nuclear program. Iran, which has one of the largest ballistic programs in the Middle East, says its weapons are capable of hitting targets in Israel and US military bases in the region. Despite opposition from the United States and European countries, Tehran has announced that it will continue to develop its “defensive” ballistic program, Reuters notes. “Our message to Iran’s enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to contribute to regional stability,” said Iranian Defense Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani.
Rising tensions between Iran and Israel State television has broadcast what it says are images of an upgraded version of Iran’s Khoramshahr 4 ballistic missile, which has a range of 2,000 kilometers and can carry 1,500 kilograms of warheads. Israel, which the Islamic Republic does not recognize, sees Iran as an existential threat. Iran says its ballistic missiles are an important deterrent and retaliatory force against the armed forces of the United States, Israel, and other potential adversaries in the region. On Tuesday, the head of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) raised the prospect of “action” against Iran as efforts by six world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran have stalled since last September amid growing Western fears of accelerating Iran’s nuclear program. The nuclear deal, which Washington denounced in 2018, imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, thereby extending the time Tehran would need to produce enough material for a nuclear bomb. Iran vehemently denies that it would be interested in obtaining nuclear weapons, as the cited source notes.
By Cora Sulleyman
