Iran says test fired missile capable of reaching Israel
Over the last year, Iran has worked on improving its missiles' range and accuracy, arguing its missiles serve as a deterrent against its enemy, Israel • "We tested a missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers and ... full accuracy," says military official.
Reuters and Israel Hayom 
Iran says it test-fired yet another ballistic missile -Photo credit: Reuters
Iran has successfully test-fired another ballistic missile, the latest in a spate of tests following the implementation of a nuclear deal with world powers.
According to an Iranian military official quoted by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Iran successfully tested a precision-guided ballistic missile two weeks ago, as Iran continues to bolster what it claims is a purely defensive arsenal.
Iran has worked to improve the range and accuracy of its missiles over the past year, which it says will make them a more potent deterrent with conventional warheads against its enemy, Israel.
"We tested a missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and eight meters' error margin two weeks ago. An eight-meter error margin means ... full accuracy," Tasnim quoted Brig. Gen. Ali Abdollahi as saying.
The United States and some European powers have said other recent tests violate a United Nations resolution that prohibits Iran from firing any missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Iran says the missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads, which it does not possess.
Washington has imposed new sanctions on Tehran over recent tests, even after it lifted nuclear-related sanctions in January as Tehran implemented the nuclear deal it reached with world powers last year.
Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in March that missile development was key to Iran's future.
Two months ago, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles at a target some 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) away, with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" written on them, Iran's semiofficial Fars News Agency reported at the time.
According to Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division, Iran's medium-range ballistic missiles were designed to be able to hit Israel.
"The reason we designed our missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers [1,200 miles] is to be able to hit our enemy the Zionist regime from a safe distance," Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency.