Iran unveils upgraded missile
Iran has unveiled an upgraded version of a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile just weeks after it was test-fired, the country's state media reported.
The missile reflects Iran's improved military capabilities aimed at "defence" and "deterrence", President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a group of defence officials at the ceremony presenting Fateh-110, or Conqueror, according to state TV.
Iran considers both the United States and Israel as potential adversaries. Neither country has ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear programme, which they claim is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes.
The official Irna news agency said in a report today that the new version of Fateh-110 has a quicker launch capability, a longer life and can be used in adverse weather conditions, but gave no other details. The missile has been in service in Iran over the past decade.
Iran claimed earlier this month that it had successfully test-fired the missile, saying at the time that Fateh-110 has an improved accuracy to strike land and naval targets within a 300km range.
Since 1992, Iran has tried to set up a self-sufficient military programme.
The country's military leaders have said they believe future wars will be air- and sea-based and Tehran has sought to upgrade its air defence systems and naval power in anticipation of such a possibility.
Iran has also been pushing to upgrade its missiles, which can already target Israel and US bases in the Middle East.
The Pentagon released a report in June noting significant advances in Iranian missile technology, acknowledging that the Islamic republic has improved the accuracy and firing capabilities of its missiles.
At the ceremony marking the national day of Iran's defence industry, Mr Ahmadinejad also unveiled several other latest Iranian-made weapons, such as a naval diesel engine, a mortar launcher, a monitoring military intelligence system and tactical SUVs.
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Anthony Charles Abela
Aug 22nd 2012, 14:24
Having the Iranians the Nuclear capability to nuke anyone is like having count Dracula in charge of the blood bank. Wake up to yourselves, those who believe otherwise are simply FOOLS. Anthony C. Abela Australia.
J Vella
Aug 21st 2012, 17:26
Mr Martin Attard the difference between Israel and Iran is that one place has an prime minister which is elected by the people and they live in a civilized manner, and the other side there is a fanatic supreme leader which governs the country, where they stone women to death for adultery, hang gays in squares and there last aim is to wipe the zionist from the map. Can this regime have nuclear weapons?
Martin Cassar
Aug 21st 2012, 18:23
Can a country claims its very existence on a 3000 years old fictions - Biblical text be to occupy others land and terrorize them be democratic or civilized?
Robert Agius
Aug 23rd 2012, 08:49
Civilization in the west came at the cost of millions around the globe. Perhaps they do have a lot in common. In some place people don't have a choice to elect a leader in others people think they have a choice.
Can this regime have nuclear weapons? and why can Israel have them?...or worse the US? the only nation who used them and who invaded - Afghanistan, Iraq, Panama, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Chile.....want me to go on?
Martin Cassar
Aug 21st 2012, 13:10
Can the Atomic Energy Agency verify Iran's position?
We are repeatedly informed by USA Zionist sponsored media that Iran, Iraq, and North Korea form the ‘axis of evil’.
While Iran is a signatory member with Atomic Energy Agency and its nuclear programme under surveillance 24/7/365, Israel does not allow any inspection from Atomic Energy Agency. Is Israel above law?
Why some believe that the Arabs and Muslims (individuals or Muslim states) must be stripped for their right of self-defense against the Zionists nuclear terrorism?. Aren't the Zionists gangs ILLEGALLY occupying other countries lands and killing and terrorizing civilians? No nuclear weapons and nothing will immune the Zionists state before ending their Illegal occupation. Giving up their Biblical fictitious-claims of god promised lands in the only way forward!
Wars only occur where weapons of mass destruction and deterrent weapons don’t exist. What about Iraq and North Korea examples? In 2003-while North Korea was testing nuclear long-range missiles and defying the International community (USA), the latter went to attack Iraq instead (eight years of wars that achieving nothing yet put the entire world at the edge of bankruptcy). Wasn’t USA message clear enough to read: If you don’t have a deterrent weapon you have no place on planet Earth?.
The Middle East-Israel conflict has been designed by the west and must be solved by the west. By political means not by supplying bombs to Israel as this seems what the USA would love doing: keeping the Middle East a powder keg like, thus the USA can sell more weapons while having an eye on Gulf region wealth.
USA war on ‘terrorism’, let us pray that OIL will never be found under Vatican’s soil, otherwise the Vatican will be shelled and eventually the Pope will be accused of supporting terrorism!
By the way both Iraq and Iran actually have what USA’s addict for and would like to have it at cheaper price: OIL.
Please choose the reason of your report below: