Israel shows its teeth to Iran with test of new missile

ISRAEL tested its new missile system yesterday, successfully destroying a rocket similar to Iran's long-range Shahab-3 amid growing signs of tension between the two countries.

The test comes a day after the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said his country and others "cannot accept a situation" in which Iran gains nuclear weapons capability, and that the US should lead international efforts to pressure Iran from pursuing its nuclear programme.

Israel's defence ministry said that during yesterday's test, a land-based Arrow missile destroyed an incoming aircraft-fired missile over the Mediterranean.

The Arrow, developed in co-operation with the United States, had failed to destroy its target during a test last year.

"The current test shows once again that Israel knows and will know how to defend itself in the current era, during which threats are being voiced and efforts are being undertaken by various countries to demonstrate capability to launch long-range missiles," said deputy defence minister Zeev Boim.

The Shahab-3, which has a range of more than 1,200 miles, is seen by Israel as the main weapon which would be used to target its territory. Tehran says its nuclear programme is for energy needs only, and that the Shahab is intended as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, Russia's Vedomosti newspaper reported that Iran has agreed to buy 29 TOR-M1 tactical surface-to-air missile systems from Russia in a deal worth more than 570 million.

The newspaper said it was the biggest sale of Russian defence hardware to Iran in five years. It described the missiles as aimed at bringing down aircraft and guided missiles at low altitude.

Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated in October when Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel should be "wiped off the map".

Israel fears that if Iran gains nuclear weaponry to match its own capability, it will prompt Arab countries to develop nuclear weapons and increase Iranian influence in the region.