Iran unveils new ballistic missile with 1,200 km range
In this handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on February 2, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (C) visits a defence and space achievements exhibition in Tehran. PHOTO:AFP
Iran on Sunday unveiled a new solid-fuel ballistic missile with a range of 1,200 kilometres (745 miles), state television reported, at a time of rising tensions with the West.
"The solid propellant Ghassem Basir ballistic missile has a range of at least 1,200 kilometres and is Iran's latest defence achievement," the broadcaster said.
On Sunday, Iranian state television broadcast footage of the new missile during an interview with Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
"If we are attacked and war is waged against us, we will respond with force and will target their interests and their bases," Nasirzadeh said. "We hold no animosity towards neighbouring states, but American bases are our targets," he said.
The new missile was shown after Tehran and Washington held Oman-mediated talks on Iran's nuclear programme on three consecutive Saturdays from April 12. AFP