CNN:Iran test-fires missiles in Strait of Hormuz exercises
Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran test-fired two missiles Monday,
the final day of its naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, state-run media
reported.
The Qader missile, a long-range sea-to-shore missile, was fired during the
"power" stage of the maneuvers, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.
The test was successful, and the missile hit its intended targets, according to
the report.
"A large number of the long-range surface-to-sea Qader missiles have already
been delivered to the Iranian Armed Forces," IRNA said.
A surface-to-surface Nour missile was also successfully tested Monday,
according to Iran's Press TV.
The Nour is an "advanced radar-evading, target-seeking, guided and controlled
missile and can easily find its target and destroy it," IRNA reported, quoting
2nd Adm. Seyed Mahmoud Musavi.
"Iran's navy test-fired a number of medium-range and long-range missiles in
the final stage of the naval drills," Press TV said.
A short-range Nasr missile would also be test-fired Monday, IRNA said.
Iran began the exercises in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman on December
24, IRNA said. Western diplomats have described the maneuvers as further
evidence of Iran's volatile behavior.
Iran also successfully test-fired a medium-range, surface-to-air and
radar-evading Mehrab missile on Sunday, according to the semi-official Fars news
agency. A submarine also successfully fired torpedoes at mock vessels, according
to the report.
Fars added that plans for Monday involve "a new tactic which is designed to
prevent any movement in the Strait of Hormuz if the Iranian navy so
desires."
The French Foreign Ministry said Monday the missile tests send a "very bad
signal to the international community."
"We want to underline that the development by Iran of a missile program is a
source of great concern to the international community," the ministry said in a
written statement. That's why Iran is prohibited from "pursuing any activity on
ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear (war)head," per a U.N.
Security Council resolution, the statement added.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he believes the Iranian exercises
and missile tests reflects "the dire straits of Iran in light of the tightening
sanctions around her, including the considerations in the last few days
regarding the sanctions of exporting petroleum as well as the possibility of
sanctions against the Iranian Central Bank."
Because of their "dire situation," Barak said, Iran is "pulling out the
envelope of threats in order to deter the world from continuing the
sanctions."
The naval exercises focused attention on the strait -- a shipping channel
leading in and out of the Persian Gulf between Iran on one coast and Oman and
the United Arab Emirates on the other. It is strategically important because
tankers carrying oil travel through it -- some 15 million barrels daily in 2009,
according to the U.S.
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