Iran tests missile with range that can hit Israel

[shira]

Iran tests missile with range that can hit Israel
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI – 15 minutes ago

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran tested its longest-range solid-fuel missile Wednesday — a launch that displayed Tehran's reach and burnished the president's hardline reputation ahead of next month's election.

The missile was said to be capable of striking Israel, U.S. Mideast bases and Europe. Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed the test, which was announced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The launch raised concerns about the sophistication of Tehran's missile program and Pentagon officials cautioned that it leaves Iran at a crossroads.

"They can either continue on this path of continued destabilization in the region or they can decide that they want to pursue relationships with the countries in the region and the United States that are more normalized," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. Solid-propellent rockets are a concern because they can be fueled in advance and moved or hidden in silos, said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss technical details of Iran's missile program.

Israel said the test appeared to be in part Iran's response to a positive meeting on Monday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama. Following the meeting, Obama threatened Iran with further international sanctions if it does not agree to reopen negotiations on its nuclear program.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixeFBxfLzaSjs8Mb8cuFmtPOT6-wD98A9PFO0

[shira]

1. Experts: Iranian missile not a new threat

Experts: Iranian missile not a new threat

Israeli experts say Iran's technology improving, but missile will take 4-5 years to become operational
Daniel Edelson Published: 05.21.09, 00:53 / Israel News


Israeli experts said Wednesday that while Iran's most recent missile launch proved the Islamic Republic had vastly improved its weapons technology, the missile did not pose an immediate threat to Israel. Iran test-fired the new Sajjil-2 missile earlier Wednesday, claiming it had a range capable of reaching Israel and US bases in the Middle East.

"Regarding the threat to Israel's citizens there is nothing new here. Their ability to bomb Israel exists," General (Res) Professor Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, former head of the Administration for the Development of Weapons and the Technological Industry, told Ynet. "This experiment should be regarded carefully. There have been times at which the Iranians announced such launches, which afterwards were deemed failures. There were photos then too, which were afterwards proved false."

However Ben Yisrael believes Iran has improved its technology, and that this is an issue that should concern Israel and the world.

"They've had us covered for five years, and now Western Europe is in their range. This is worrying and constitutes another trigger to continue attempts to decrease the threat," he said.

Yiftah Shapir, who heads the Institute for National Securities Studies' Middle East Military Balance project, also claims the launch does not necessarily heighten the threat.

"This is a process the Iranians have been discussing for at least six years. At a rough estimate, the missile will become operational in four or five years," he said.


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3719166,00.html

[cboy4]

2. Yea, Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

What a crock of shit. :eyes: