Iran unveils new solid-fueled ballistic missile, state TV reports

TEHRAN Iran AP Iran s defense ministry Sunday unveiled the country s latest solid-fueled ballistic missile state TV revealed against a backdrop of threats from the United States over its nuclear venture TV revealed the Qassem Basir ballistic missile during an interview with Defense Minister Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh He announced it includes improvements in both guidance and maneuverability to overcome layers of defense and easily find a way around anti-ballistic defense systems The missile was the greater part in recent months tested on April TV described the missile as having at least a -kilometer -mile range It also stated the missile can identify and strike a designated target among multiple ones without GPS guidance and with pinpoint accuracy In reaction to a May comment by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the platform X in which he warns Iran about its help for the Houthis in Yemen Nasirzade reported if war is initiated by the U S or Israel Iran will strike their interests bases and forces wherever they are and whenever necessary Nasirzadeh added We have no hostility toward neighboring countries and seek brotherly relations but in the event of an attack U S bases in the region will be considered legitimate targets Regarding a up-to-date missile attack by Yemen s Houthis on Israel Nasirzadeh disclosed Yemen is an independent nation making its own decisions and rejected U S attempts to link Iran to the conflict there Tehran created its ballistic missile plan after suffering through Iraqi Scud missile attacks in the Iran-Iraq war and as a hedge against its Western-armed neighbors as embargos have kept it from accessing modern attack aircraft The missile announcement comes amid escalating tensions following the strike on Israel s Ben Gurion Airport by the Houthis In response Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed key retaliation against both the Houthis and their Iranian supporters The development marks a major escalation in regional hostilities Meanwhile indirect talks between Iran and the United States which were scheduled for May in Rome were suspended last week Iran s Foreign Ministry commented the postponement came at the request of Oman s foreign minister who has been mediating the negotiations A new date has yet to be stated President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran s undertaking if a deal isn t reached Iranian officers increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels