World

Iran Test Launches New Missile 1,200 Miles, Puts Israel in Range

by Rob Walker | May 20, 2009 at 05:49 am

282 views | 27 Recommendations | 6 comments

Iran tested a new missile on Wednesday, sending the upgraded rocket about 1,200 miles, said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

This would be far enough for the missiles to strike Israel and southeastern Europe. This comes only two days after US President Barack Obama promised further international sanctions on Iran if they continued with their nuclear program.

The solid-fuel Sajjjil-2 is a new version of the missile, more accurate than previous incarnations due to its solid fuel mixture.

"Defense Minister (Mostafa Mohammad Najjar) has informed me that the Sajjil-2 missile, which has very advanced technology, was launched from Semnan and it landed precisely on the target," state radio quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. He spoke during a visit to the city of Semnan, 125 miles east of the capital Tehran, where Iran's space program is centered.

The solid-fuel Sajjil-2 surface-to-surface missile tested has a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike at southeastern Europe. It is a new version of the Sajjil missile, which Iran said it had successfully tested late last year with a similar range. Many analysts said the launch of the Sajjil was significant because solid fuel missiles are more accurate than liquid fuel missiles of similar range, such as Iran's Shahab-3.

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Paschen

at 06:49 on May 20th, 2009

Hum, The stakes have been raised once more.

albertacowpoke

at 07:24 on May 20th, 2009

The saga continues. Will be interesting to see how the Administration handles this one.

indigochill (not verified)

at 08:36 on May 20th, 2009

Though I find an unprovoked attack by Israel against Iran unlikely (and any attack by the US virtually impossible), I agree with moonwolf that it's more a defensive gesture than anything. After all, there are countries (including the US) that already have this technology. What makes us think we can hold Iran back from researching the tools they will need to keep pace with the modern world?

Another media quote for your collection (from PressTV):

‘Our progress in this field is solely aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region. This technology will only be used against an enemy with ill intentions,’ he explained. (as quoted on Newsy.com)

jms (not verified)

at 08:58 on May 20th, 2009

Yes, it may be just an attempt to compete adequately with the US and other countries in terms of defense, but we can't just play it that safe and think they will not hesitate to fire first. I do not believe whatsoever the US or Israel would attack unprovoked, but it comes as a slap in the face because Obama is fresh out of Iran to try and combat their nuclear program. Really, this is an arms race for the world right now and it's only a matter of time before two countries with missile become hostile enough with each other to use them. Right now, it may not be a threat, but let's sleep with one eye open, shall we?