Iran Tests New Missile, Europe in Range
In response to the United States’ arms embargo following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been improving its weapons capabilities. The latest development in its weapons capabilities is a new missile, called the Sajjil, which is capable of hitting targets 1,200 miles away in Southeastern Europe. The U.S. sees this development as a destabilizing force in the region that could put Iran at odds with Israel, already unhappy about Iran’s nuclear and weapons programs. As is the common practice of the Iranian government, the official statement of the Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar assured critics that the missile is part of a “defensive, deterrent strategy … specifically with defensive objectives.” The U.S. has cited these recent weapons developments as a further reason for developing and building an effective missile shield in Europe in the event of an Iranian military threat. President Ahmadinejad didn’t help the situation with a public response to criticism over its programs: “The Iranian nation defends its dignity. Should any power stand against the Iranian nation, the Iranian people will crush it under its foot and will strike it on the mouth.”
Steven Craig
