BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran has successfully
test-fired both medium- and long-range missiles in two consecutive days, in what
many analysts described as a move to trigger grave concerns over stability in
the region.
By testing a long-range missile capable of reaching
targets in Israel as well as U.S. military facilities in the region, Iran has
delivered a signal that it is capable of hitting back in case of an Israeli or
U.S. attack, analysts say.
A video grab from Al Alam television
shows one of nine long- and medium-range missiles being fired during a
test in Iran July 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
SENSITIVE
TIME?
The missile tests came just a day after the United
States had signed a defense shield agreement with the Czech Republic, a
sensitive time which may spark many speculations on what's Iran's real intention
behind the tests.
Washington claimed the installation of a radar base
on Czech soil was designed to protect most of its European allies from the
threat of long-range missiles fired by "rogue states" such as Iran.
In order to effectively eliminate the Iran
threat, the United States is also thrashing out ways to deploy missiles in Poland, which
said an agreement with Washington has not been finalized yet.
Iran's missile tests also lend U.S. an excuse of
persuading other countries such as Russia the necessity of expanding its missile
defense system in Europe.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice vowed after
the Iran tests that Tehran should have no doubt about the U.S. commitment to
defending its allies from possible attacks.
"We are also sending a message to Iran that we will
defend American interests and ... the interests of our allies," she said.
But the defense shield plan has drawn fierce opposition from Russia, which says the U.S. system would undermine both the Europe and Russia's security.
