Iran's missile capacity 'only for defensive purposes'

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-10 10:49

TEHRAN - Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said Wednesday that Iran's missile capacity is only for defensive purposes, Iran's satellite channel Press TV reported.

A video grab from Al Alam television shows one of nine long- and medium-range missiles being fired during a test in Iran July 9, 2008. [Agencies]

"Our missile capacity is just for defensive purposes, to safeguard peace in Iran and the Persian Gulf region," Najjar was quoted as saying.

"Our missiles will not be used to threaten any country and they are only intended for those who dare attack Iran," he added.

The Iranian defense minister made the remarks shortly after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully test fired new long- and mid-range missiles in response to threats from the United States and Israel.

In military exercises dubbed Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great Prophet 3) , the IRGC on earlier Wednesday test fired a Shahab 3 missile, which can hit any target within a range of 2,000 km, Press TV said.

The Shahab 3 ballistic missile was equipped with a one-ton conventional warhead, it added.

Altogether, nine highly advanced missiles with improved accuracy were tested, including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with ranges of 400 km and 170 km respectively.

The Payambar-e Azam 3 war games were conducted by missile units of the IRGC's naval and air forces, Press TV reported.

IRGC Air Force Commander Hossein Salami said the aim of the war games were to demonstrate "just how strong-willed the Islamic Republic is in defending its sovereignty against any challenges by those enemies that have used harsh and threatening words against Iran in recent weeks."

The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Iran has denied the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

The Bush administration said it focused on diplomacy to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, but has insisted that it will take "no option off the table."

Some observers believe that it is still possible that the United States and Israel would attack Iranian targets for Tehran's suspicious nuclear programs.

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