Iran announced on Friday that it had launched a fresh missile, in defiance of western concerns about its weapons and nuclear projects. Ahmad Vahidi, defence minister, said the Qiam 1 outside to surface missile had “new technical features and unique tactical capabilities”, and an improved target system. State television show footage of the rocket test but gave no details about the range of the weapon or the date and place of firing. The news came as Iran ready to activate its first nuclear power plant, due to begin operations on Saturday after more than three decades of delay.
Uranium from Russia will be used in the Bushehr plant’s reactor, which is intended to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The plant will properly open in September and officials hope it will start generating electricity at half capacity by late November. Ali-Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, said Bushehr’s activation was “a thorn in the eye of ill wishers” while the country was opposite “pressure and sanctions at their peak”. Iranian officials said the missile launch established the country’s determination to pursue a nuclear programme in spite of UN sanctions.
Speaking at Friday prayers in Tehran, Mr Vahidi said the sanction aimed to “keep the Islamic republic weak”. “Today, the country’s defence industry has twisted into the symbol of the defeat of the enemy’s strategies and will,” he added. Iran has already developed Shahab and Sejjil missiles, which have a variety sufficient to hit Israel and eastern Europe. Some missiles are believed to have been designed to take a nuclear warhead. Iran has faced four sets of UN sanctions for its denial to suspend uranium enrichment. Israeli and US officials believe Iran has enough fabric to make two nuclear weapons but the Islamic republic insists its enrichment is for civilian purposes only. Iranian officials keep caution of military action against the country.
Uranium from Russia will be used in the Bushehr plant’s reactor, which is intended to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The plant will properly open in September and officials hope it will start generating electricity at half capacity by late November. Ali-Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, said Bushehr’s activation was “a thorn in the eye of ill wishers” while the country was opposite “pressure and sanctions at their peak”. Iranian officials said the missile launch established the country’s determination to pursue a nuclear programme in spite of UN sanctions.
Speaking at Friday prayers in Tehran, Mr Vahidi said the sanction aimed to “keep the Islamic republic weak”. “Today, the country’s defence industry has twisted into the symbol of the defeat of the enemy’s strategies and will,” he added. Iran has already developed Shahab and Sejjil missiles, which have a variety sufficient to hit Israel and eastern Europe. Some missiles are believed to have been designed to take a nuclear warhead. Iran has faced four sets of UN sanctions for its denial to suspend uranium enrichment. Israeli and US officials believe Iran has enough fabric to make two nuclear weapons but the Islamic republic insists its enrichment is for civilian purposes only. Iranian officials keep caution of military action against the country.
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