Iran test fires new surface-to-surface missile - Summary

Tehran - Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the country on Friday test fired a new surface-to-surface missile named Qiam-1.

Speaking at the Friday prayer ceremony in Tehran, the general said that the test was successful.

The missile was fired one day before the opening of Iran's first nuclear power plant in the Gulf port of Bushehr in the south of the country, amid speculation that the plant might be attacked before becoming operational.

State television showed footage of the launch but did not disclose the venue.

Vahidi said the Qiam-1, which means uprising, was solely designed and built by local experts at the defence ministry, runs on liquid fuel and hits targets with a higher precision than its predecessors.

He added that the missile has no wings, making it faster and more difficult to intercept.

"This project is a huge step in Iran's missile development," the minister said without giving any details on the missile's range.

Vahidi said earlier this week that on Sunday, which marks National Defence Industry Day, Iran would test fire more missiles and also unveil its first domestically manufactured long-range unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps tested five new missiles during military manoeuvres in the Gulf last April, including land-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles produced domestically.

The armed forces have stepped up their manoeuvres in the wake of renewed speculation about possible Israeli airstrikes against the country's nuclear sites.

Tehran says its army is not trained to attack another country, but the West fears Iran could launch a missile strike against Israel, especially with its Shahab-missiles, which reportedly have a range of 2,000 kilometres, capable of reaching any part of the Jewish state.

Copyright DPA