Iran says test-fired new missile
Islamic Republic continues to boast about military developments, says it has successfully tested upgraded version of home-built surface-to-surface Fateh 110 missile. Iranian defense minister says willing to supply Lebanese army with weapons
Iran has test fired its home-built surface-to-surface Fateh 110 missile, state television reported on Wednesday, less than a week after a similar test was carried out on another missile.
State television showed a sand-colored missile being launched from a vehicle and blasting into the sky from a desert terrain, leaving behind a thick plume of smoke. It did not say when the missile was fired.
Iran's English-language Press TV said the Fateh 110 (Conqueror) missile is nine meters (29 feet) long and weighs 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds).
The channel's website quoted Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi as saying that the third generation Fateh 110 was a "single stage solid propellant" missile with a longer range. He said it is equipped with a high accuracy guidance control system and was developed by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization and tested Wednesday.
Ask by an Iranian television reporter whether Iran would be willing to supply weapons to the Lebanese army, Vahidi said it would be possible "if we receive a request".
According to reports, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to visit Beirut soon and discuss the matter at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Fateh 110 in action
Vahidi did not specify the range of the missile but Iran has previously paraded a version of Fateh 110 which it said could travel between 150 and 200 kilometers (90 to 125 miles).
"Employing a highly accurate guidance and control system has enabled the missile to hit its targets with great precision," he was quoted by state TV as saying Wednesday.
He said the latest version of Fateh 110 was "more accurate."
The launch of Fateh 110 follows an announcement by Vahidi on Friday that Iran had successfully test fired its Qiam (Rising) short range missile, which was propelled by liquid fuel.
The test firing of Fateh 110 comes two days after Iran began mass-producing two high-speed variants of missile-launching assault boats, the Seraj and Zolfaqar.
On Sunday, President Ahmadinejad unveiled Iran's home-built bomber drone, which he described as an "ambassador of death" to Iran's enemies.
The military announcements come as Iran marks its annual "government week," during which it flaunts its latest achievements in various fields.
AFP and The Associated Press contributed to this report
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