IRAN UNVEILS ANOTHER MISSILE
NICOSIA — Iran has reported the test firing of its fourth new
missile in less than a week.
Officials said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the
missile during the Holy Prophet exercise in the Gulf on Wednesday. They said
the test was successful.
"Today we have successfully tested a new air-to-sea-and-ground missile
capable of being fired from planes and helicopters, which can evade
anti-missile missiles," IRGC spokesman Rear Adm. Mohammed Ibrahim Dehqani
said.
The missile was called Nour. As in previous announcements, Dehqani
provided few details of the latest indigenous weapon.
"The missile, which is labeled Nour has a tremendous destructive ability
and has an antenna in its warhead which gets activated near the target,"
Dehqani said.
So far, Iran has unveiled four new missiles and two torpedos since March
31. The previous missiles were identified as Fajr-3, Kowsar and Misaq.
Western defense sources dismissed Teheran's claims, saying they were
meant to deter any U.S.-led attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Teheran has refused to end uranium enrichment, a key element in the
production of nuclear weapons.
Iranian state television termed Nour a "top secret" missile that marked
a turning point in the nation's weapons development program. The television
termed the missile an "ultra-horizon" weapon that could be fired from
helicopters and fighter-jets.
IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi said Britain, France, the
Netherlands and the United States operate 125 warships in the Gulf. Safavi
said 81 of them have been monitoring the Holy Prophet exercise.
"Iran regards security of the regional states as its own national
security," Safavi said. "Iran's national interests are intertwined with
those of other Persian Gulf states and Iran wants nothing but peace,
security and stability in the region."
