Iran successfully test-fired Sajjil-2 missile

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has successfully test-fired an improved version of a medium-range missile, state television has said.



The Sajjil-2 has a longer range than previously-tested missiles which could travel 2,000km (1,243 miles), Iran's Arabic-language TV station announced.



That range would put Israel and US bases in the Gulf within range.



Correspondents say it is not the first time this missile has been tested, but the timing is likely to add to current tension over Iran's nuclear ambitions. The West says that Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.



UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the missile launch could increase the likelihood of further sanctions on Iran.

"This is a matter of serious concern to the international community and it does make the case for us moving further on sanctions," he said.



The French Foreign Ministry said the launch was "very worrying". "A test of this kind can only strengthen the international community's worries at a time that Iran is also developing a nuclear program with no identifiable civil objective in violation of five United Nations Security Council resolutions," spokesman Bernard Valero said.



In September, Iran was heavily criticized after testing its Sajjil and Shahab missiles.



Those tests came just weeks after Iran revealed the existence of a previously secret nuclear facility in the mountains near the city of Qom, BBC reports.