Iran Test-Fires Israel Threatening Sajil 2 Missile which is capable of reaching targets within a range of 2000 kilometers (1200 miles).  Pentagon officials have confirmed that the missile launched today is capable of reaching Israel and American interests in parts of Europe.  The Sajil 2 is a medium range, two-phase, solid-fueled missile that is the latest development for a rogue nation that has been hellbent on reminding the world what a threat it truly is.  Iranian state TV reported that officials claim it is the fastest missile the country has ever developed and that it could be ready to launch in “minutes” and is virtually unstoppable by existing missile defense systems.   Iranian Defense Minister, General Ahmad Vahidi, said that the new technology increases Iran’s deterent force and is intended to be used as a “peaceful force” and would not be used against any country.  It should be noted that this is the same general that just last week said that if Israel attacked Iran the response would be to destroy Israel’s nuclear facilities.

The White House has been relatively quiet about the test launch but many of our NATO allies have openly denounced the continued efforts by the rogue nation.  The President might have found himself in uncomfortable territory when he heard news of the launch because he has been practicing his tough talk policy as of late in regards to the Middle Eastern nation and its efforts at nuclear proliferation.  In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech the President told the audience that “those who seek peace cannot stand idly by while nations arm themselves for nuclear war.”  That statement alone makes it pretty hard to ignore today’s launch, but I am sure that he will try mightily to do so.

Tags: iran test-fires missile, Israel, missile test, nuclear program

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 2:03 pm and is filed under FOREIGN AFFAIRS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.