Western Allies condemn Ahmadinejad's missiles tests

by smkovalinsky | September 28, 2009 at 01:30 pm

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A public condemnation of the mid-range missiles firing in Tehran was made today by Western powers, the BBC says.

Ahmadinejad, in a display of escalating defiance with regard to remarks made about sanctions at the UN Assembly by Obama and the leaders of Great Britain and France, has had several test firings of mid-range missiles in the past several days.

Western powers have condemned Iran for test-firing its most advanced long-range missiles, with the White House calling the move "provocative".
But the UK said the tests should not distract from international talks with Iran on its nuclear programme later this week and Russia urged restraint.

Iran tested missiles which Tehran says are capable of striking targets in Israel, state media reported on Monday.

It comes days after Tehran's disclosure of a second uranium enrichment plant.

Iran is due to hold crucial talks with the five UN Security Council members plus Germany in Geneva on Thursday on a wide range of security issues, including its nuclear programme.

Reaction

The Revolutionary Guards tested the Shahab-3 and Sajjil rockets, believed to have ranges of up to 2,000km (1,240 miles), potentially permitting them to reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf.

"Obviously these were pre-planned military exercises," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.