Iran’s defence ministry has revealed a new solid-fuel ballistic missile that it claims has a range of at least 1,200 kilometres.
The unveiling of the weapon comes amid rising tensions with the US over Tehran’s nuclear activities and its alleged support for the Houthis in Yemen.
Iranian state television showed the missile — called the Qassem Basir — on Sunday during an interview with Defence Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh. It was last tested on 17 April, according to Iran’s authorities.
During his appearance on television, the Iranian defence minister denied Washington’s claims that that Tehran is helping Yemen’s Houthis, who targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport over the weekend.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a forceful retaliation against both the Houthis and their alleged Iranian backers.
Nasirzadeh claimed Yemen is an independent nation making its own decisions, before issuing a warning to the US and its allies.
The Iranian defence minister said his country would consider US bases in the region “legitimate targets” if it was attacked.
For its part, the Trump administration wants to prevent Tehran from developing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium.
Indirect nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran had been scheduled for 3 May in Rome. However, the talks have been postponed.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure should diplomatic efforts fail.