Tensions escalate in Middle East as Iran tests long-range ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel



Surface-to-surface missiles capable of travelling 800 miles fired today

Iran claim test was response to U.S. refusal to rule out military strikes against country's nuclear program

Western fears remain that Iran wants to build nuclear weapons

Testing: Iran's Revolutionary Guard have test fired Shahab-3 missiles today, which are capable of hitting Israel (file picture)

Tensions have increased in the Persian Gulf today after Iran test fired long-range ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards tested several surface-to-surface weapons in the country's remote Kavir Desert, amid western fears the Islamic Republic wants to build nuclear weapons.

Iran said the test firing was a response to Israel and Washington's refusal to rule out military strikes to stop Iran's nuclear program.

The missiles fired today can travel distances of 800 miles (1,300km), a distance making them capable of striking Israel.

The official IRNA news agency said the surface-to-surface missiles successfully hit their targets, while semi-official Fars said the salvos included the so-called Shahab-3 missile.



The Guards' acting commander told state TV the tests were aimed at mock enemy bases in a war game exercise.

Iran has tested a variety of missiles in previous war games, including a Shahab-3 variant with a range of 2,000 kilometers that can reach Israel and southern Europe.

The launched missiles are also capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region, with the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, some 200 kilometers from Iranian shores in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian state TV showed footage of several missiles being launched.

Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who heads the Guards' aerospace division, said: 'So far, we have launched missiles from 300 to 1,300 kilometers in the maneuver.'

Testing: Ballistic missiles, including a long-range variety capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region, were tested by the Iranian military

The Iranian commander quoted by Fars said Iran used both unmanned and manned bombers in the war games, and was firing a variety of other missiles.

Tehran says the drills aim to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of its warheads and weapons systems.

On Sunday, a European Union oil embargo meant to pressure Iran over its nuclear program came into effect.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has insisted the country's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes

Iran's Revolutionary Guards tested several surface-to-surface weapons in the Kavir desert

The West suspects the Islamic Republic wants to build nuclear weapons, and Israel has hinted at an attack if diplomatic efforts and sanctions fail to eliminate what it sees as a direct threat.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as power generation and cancer treatment.

Last month Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared to indicate that Iran would be prepared to stop high-grade uranium enrichment.