Iran Reportedly Test-Fires New Generation of Missiles [View All]

[Purveyor]

Source: Voice of America

Iran says it has test fired a new generation missile it says has a range that would put Israel and southern Europe in its sights.

Iranian state media quote Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar Wednesday as saying the new surface-to-surface Sejil missile is a two-stage rocket that uses combined solid fuel. Such a missile would be more accurate and easier to use than such liquid fuel rockets as Iran's Shahab-Three.

In the past, Western military experts have expressed caution that Iran overstates its weapons' capabilities.

Najjar said the Sejil has a range of 2,000 kilometers, but added that the weapon was only designed for defensive purposes.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

Read more: http://voanews.com/english/2008-11-12-voa10.cfm