Iran test-fires 9 missiles to show "resolve"

CAIRO, Egypt — With U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf and the rhetoric between Iran and Israel growing more heated, Tehran on Wednesday test-fired nine missiles, including at least one capable of striking Israel and other U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East.

The missiles were launched during military exercises staged by Iran's Revolutionary Guards near the strategic oil-shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The tests of the long- and medium-range missiles did not appear to mark a significant advance in Iran's missile capability — similar ones have been tested previously. But the timing and location were clearly aimed to send a message, coming a day after the Iranians threatened to retaliate against Israel and the United States if attacked.

U.S. and British ships were also on military maneuvers in the Gulf, and just days ago it was disclosed that Israel had conducted long-range military exercises in June that were widely seen as a rehearsal for a possible strike on Iran.

State-run media said the missiles included a Shahab-3, which Tehran maintains is able to hit targets up to 1,250 miles away, well within the range of U.S. troops in Iraq, the Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain and U.S. allies Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was traveling in Bulgaria, said the launches constituted "evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one."

The tests were the latest drama in the standoff over Iran's nuclear-enrichment program, which Tehran says will produce power for civilian use but the West and Israel allege is intent on building a bomb.

Gen. Hossein Salami, the Revolutionary Guards air force commander, said Iran's war games this week — code-named "Noble Prophet" — "demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language," state TV reported. "Our hands are always on the trigger, and our missiles are ready for launch," he said.

U.S. military officials said the test demonstrated Iran's long-range missile capability, but they are trying to determine whether it showed advances in the country's weaponry.

"The fact is, they've just tested a missile that has a pretty extended range," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

He added that Israel and Iran recognize the dangers of a military conflict.

"The reality is that there is a lot signaling going on, but I think everybody recognizes what the consequences of any kind of a conflict would be," Gates said.

Compiled from Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and The Associated Press reports.