Iran has no ICBMs - Defense Minister Ivanov
07/04/2006 14:09
MOSCOW, April 7 (RIA Novosti) - Iran has no intercontinental ballistic missiles, Russia's defense minister said Friday.
"I would like to reassure the global community," said Sergei Ivanov, answering a question on Iran's tests of a new medium-range missile this week. "Iran only has medium-range missiles."
Concerns about Iran's missile capability have been growing since the Islamic Republic announced its intention to resume nuclear research in January and the country's hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, made a number of controversial remarks, including a call to wipe Israel "off the face of the map."
"Only two countries do not have and cannot have such [medium-range] missiles - these are Russia and the U.S.," Ivanov said referring to arms treaties between the two countries. "At the same time, the number of countries that can have medium-range missiles is growing."
A number of countries have expressed alarm over Iran's controversial nuclear programs and have pushed for the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the country, as they suspect that Tehran is using its civilian-energy programs to disguise military projects.
Russia has been at the forefront of efforts to solve the escalating crisis diplomatically and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council could veto measures against Iran. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already questioned the efficacy of sanctions on a number of occasions.
Moscow has offered to enrich Iranian uranium - a vital component in both civilian energy and military projects - in Russia. But Tehran said in March that it would enrich a small amount of the radioactive substance anyway, an announcement that was greeted with widespread condemnation.
Ivanov, a deputy prime minister as well as being responsible for the defense brief, said he hoped "the Iranian leadership will display more prudence."
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