Iran has tested medium-range missile, say US officials

WASHINGTON: Iran test-launched a medium-range ballistic missile inside its borders, US officials said on Friday, defying Trump administration demands that it curtail the weapon programme and demonstrating its intent to further push back against US sanctions.
Iran has responded to stepped-up US economic sanctions with a variety of military moves, and the Shahab-3 missile test launch could be considered another signal from Tehran that it will not back down. The White House said in a brief statement that it was aware of reports of a projectile launched in Iran, but White House officials declined to comment further.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, an expert on Iranian defence, said the Shahab-3 is a liquid-fueled, medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. "The Shahab-3 is the backbone of Iran's class of medium-range ballistic missiles,"' he said, adding that Iranian news outlets have previously called it one of the country's "Israel-hitting" missiles.
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References

1. ^{^} Iran (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} medium-range ballistic missile (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} US sanctions (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Tehran (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
5. ^{^} White House (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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