Iran Test-Fires Nine Long and Medium Range Missiles

Iran has test-fired nine long and medium-range missiles, including one which it previously said could travel as far as Israel and the United States bases in the region.

The tests have been conducted at a time of increased tension between Iran and Israel over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

The west has said that Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at making bombs while Iran has said that its only for power generation.

The missiles test-fired included a new Shahab 3 missile, which can hit the targets 2,000 km away. In total nine missiles were tested, state-run English language channel Press-TV reported.

Along with the Shahab-3, the missiles tested were the Zelzal, which has a range of up to 400km and the Fateh, which has a range of around 170km.

Press-TV showed pictures of the Shahab-3 being launched at an undisclosed desert location inside Iran.

"This a show of Iran's military muscle in the region in the face of threats from countries who said they would target Iran's nuclear facilities," the Press-TV announcer said.

The firing comes a day after an aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Iran would "set fire" to Israel and the US Navy in the Gulf as its first response to any American attack over its nuclear program.

"The first US shot on Iran would set the United States' vital interests in the world on fire," said Ali Shirazi, a mid-ranking cleric who is Khamenei's representative to the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guards.