Iran announces new missile test

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Iran announced Wednesday that it had successfully tested another Sajil missile -- a new generation of surface-to surface missiles.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is greeted Wednesday in northern Iran after saying the nation test fired a missile.

A similar test was carried out in November.

According to state-media reports, the missile -- Sajil-2 -- was launched Wednesday morning from the northern Iranian city of Semnan and reached its target. The reports did not say where it landed.

The Sajil missiles use solid fuel, which comes in smaller containers and helps the rockets travel longer distances, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the semi-official Fars News Agency.

Iran says the missiles have a range of almost 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers). If tthat's accurate, the missile brings Moscow, Athens and southern Italy within striking distance from Iran, according to Jane's Information Group, which provides information on defense issues.

After the November launch, the United States restated its objection to such tests, saying they violate Iran's obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions.

U.S. officials have cast doubt on the success of past missile test launches by Iran, including a rocket launch in August and a series of missile tests the previous month.
Source:CNN