Iran test-fired a missile on Monday which defence analysts have said could hit Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf region, state television reported.

English-language Press TV said the surface-to-surface Shahab 3 missile was tested during manoeuvres by the elite Revolutionary Guards that began on Sunday.

The drills coincide with increased tension in Iran's nuclear dispute with the West, after last week's disclosure by Tehran that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.

Press TV estimated the range of the Shahab 3, which was last tested in mid-2008, at between 1,300 km and 2,000 km (800-1,250 miles), without making clear the range of the actual missile tested on Monday.

"Iran successfully test-fires long-range Shahab 3 missile," Press TV said in a breaking news headline.

Television footage showed a missile soaring into the sky in desert-like terrain, to shouts of Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest).

Iranian officials and representatives of six major powers are due to meet in Geneva on Thursday.

The United States and its Western allies have made clear they will focus on Iran's nuclear programme at the meeting. Iran has offered wide-ranging security talks but says it will not discuss its nuclear "rights".

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.