NICOSIA — Iran has tested a short-range surface-to-surface missile
during its current military exercise.
The missile was identified as Saeqah and said to contain a range of
between 80 and 250 kilometers. Officials said the missile was fired in
Kashan, about 250 kilometers southeast of Teheran during the exercise,
entitled "Blow of Zolfaqar."
Iranian state television announced the test-firing of the new missile.
The television report, which showed 10 missiles launched from mobile
batteries, asserted that Saeqah, or lightning, was an indigenous weapon.
Operation Blow of Zolfaqar began on Aug. 19 near the Pakistani border.
Officials said the exercise would spread through 16 of Iran's provinces and
could last five weeks.
Brig. Gen. Kiumars Heidari, spokesman for the exercise, said Saeqeh as
well as anti-ship missiles were test-fired from what he termed "a long
distance." Heidari told the official Iranian news agency Irna, that the
missile demonstrated "remarkable range and high precision."
Western intelligence sources who have been monitoring the exercise said
Iran was likely to announce a series of new missiles and weapons. The
sources cited the week-long exercise in April, in which Iran unveiled
surface-to-air, sea-to-sea and other weapons and platforms.
Since 1992, Iran has claimed production of main battle tanks, armored
personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter-jet. In 2005, the navy announced
production of torpedoes.
The Iranian news agency Fares reported that the military has entered the
second stage of the exercise. Fares said 10 surface-to-surface missiles were
fired and struck their targets.
Heidari said intelligence and electronic warfare units demonstrated
their capabilities. He said the army's air support, U.S.-origin CH-47
helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, paratroopers and special operations
were participating in the exercise. On Sunday, a military helicopter crashed
near Teheran.
