Iran Test Launches Its Longest-Range Missiles

Iran claimed to have test-fired the longest-range missiles in its arsenal today—weapons capable of carrying a warhead and striking Israel or US military bases in the Middle East. It was the third round of missile tests in two days of drills by the power Revolutionary Guard, which controls Iran's missile program. Today's test ups the ante ahead of a key meeting in Geneva on Thursday between Iran and six major powers, including the US, trying to stop its suspected nuclear weapons program.

State television said the Revolutionary Guard, successfully tested the medium-range Shahab-3 and Sajjil missiles, which can fly up to 1,200 miles. The Sajjil-2 missile is Iran's most advanced two-stage surface-to-surface missile and is powered entirely by solid-fuel, while the older Shahab-3 uses a combination of solid and liquid fuel in its most advanced form. Solid fuel is seen as a technological breakthrough for any missile program as it increases the accuracy of missiles in reaching targets. (More Iran stories.)