Iran successfully launched long-range missile
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-25 23:17

Iran said Saturday it has successfully test-fired a "strategic missile" and delivered it to its armed forces, state-run radio reported.

"This strategic missile was successfully test-fired during (the recent) military exercises by the Revolutionary Guards and delivered to the armed forces," Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani was quoted by the radio as saying.

The announcement came days after Israel said it was buying from the United States about 5,000 smart bombs, including 500 one-ton bunker-busters that can destroy 6-foot-thick (1.8-meter-thick) concrete walls.

In 1981, Israel bombed Iraq's nuclear reactor before the reactor could begin operating and the smart bombs are believed to be capable of destroying Iranian nuclear facilities.

The elite Revolutionary Guards staged military maneuvers earlier this month near the border with Iraq, with top military officials saying the exercise was designed to reinforce Iran's resolve to defend itself against "big powers."

During the maneuvers, state-run radio described the missile as a "long-range missile" that would be test-fired. Later, there was no official confirmation of the test.

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