Israel carried out a test launch of its Arrow II interceptor missile today, the Defence Ministry said, a system designed to defend against possible ballistic missile attacks by Iran and Syria.

"It was a successful test," the ministry said.

The Arrow intercepted a target missile, simulating an Iranian Shehab, launched from an Israeli aircraft over the Mediterranean, a defence source said.

Israel Radio said it was the 16th test launch of an Arrow. The defence source said 90 percent of those tests have been successful.

The project is jointly funded by Israel and the United States to serve as a strategtic shield against ballistic missiles in the arsenals of Iran and Syria.

At least two Arrow batteries have been deployed in Israel, which has been testing the system to improve its performance at high altitudes and against multiple incoming missiles.

Israel fears that Iran's uranium enrichment programme is aimed at producing nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies.

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