Iran Claims to Test New Missile

The Iranian government said today it test-fired a new model of missile capable of reaching Israel or US bases in the Middle East, although it insisted its intentions were peaceful, the Times of London reports. Tehran released photos of a test of what it said were Sejil missiles, which it said can be upgraded to have a range of 1,200 miles.

The tests, however, were not related to “the latest regional and international development,” said an Iranian spokesman, possibly referring to the election of Barack Obama, which has softened some of Tehran's anti-American sentiment. Iran has a track record of exaggerating its defense arsenal: A supposed July test of the Sejil turned out to be an older model, defense experts say.

(More missile stories.)