Washington, London and Paris have sharply criticised Iran for test-firing what Tehran says is an improved and faster version of a medium-range missile - which has the range to be able to strike Israel, parts of Turkey and US bases in the Gulf.
The Sejil-2, powered by solid fuel, is capable of travelling 2000 kilometres. Iran described the launch of the missile, which was first tested in May, as successful. The second stage test comes as world powers consider fresh sanctions against Tehran for its controversial nuclear enrichment programme.
The US said the test undermines Iran's claims of peaceful intentions. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a matter of "serious concern" and makes the case for boosting the likelihood of further sanctions against Iran. France said the test sends a "very bad signal", while Germany described it as "alarming" and did little to build the trust of the international community.
Iran is presently under three sets of UN sanctions for refusing to suspend enrichment and risks a further round after rejecting a UN-brokered deal to send its low enriched uranium abroad to be refined into fuel for a research reactor.
Iranium missile test by ANP
Iranian missile by ANP archive
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Diplomacy is only a delay tactic game with Iran. It is time for USA and Israel to nuke all of Irans Nuclear sites before they have Nukes and use them against the world.
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