Iran tests missiles able to hit Israel, US bases

Iran test-fired nine missiles yesterday and warned the US and Israel it was ready to retaliate for any attack over its disputed nuclear projects.

Washington, which says Iran seeks atomic bombs, told Tehran to halt further tests. Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, says its nuclear programme is only for electricity. Speculation that Israel could bomb Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month. US leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row.

Revolutionary Guards air force commander Hossein Salami said in televised comments that thousands of missiles were ready to be fired at "pre-determined targets."

"We warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch," he said, according to Isna news agency.

The White House told Iran to "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world."

But the US gave no hint to leaders of a Group of Eight rich nations meeting in Japan this week that it planned to attack Iran, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said.

In Washington, a senior US official said the Bush administration had not exhausted the use of diplomacy to try to convince Iran to rein in its nuclear programme.

"We view force as an option that is on the table but a last resort," US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns, said.

Mr Burns also told a Congressional panel that Iran had made only "modest" progress in its nuclear programme because of UN sanctions, while warning Tehran that it would pay dearly if it pursued its current course.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested the tests justified US plans for an anti-missile shield with bases in eastern Europe, which Russia firmly opposes.

"Those who say that there is no Iranian threat against which to be building missile defences perhaps ought to talk to the Iranians about... the range of the missiles that they test fired," Ms Rice said in Bulgaria.

France, Germany and Italy joined criticism of Iran.