Iran unveils new solid-fueled ballistic missile, state TV reports

TEHRAN Iran AP Iran s defense ministry Sunday unveiled the country s latest solid-fueled ballistic missile state TV published against a backdrop of threats from the United States over its nuclear venture TV established the Qassem Basir ballistic missile during an interview with Defense Minister Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh He explained it includes improvements in both guidance and maneuverability to overcome layers of defense and easily evade anti-ballistic defense systems The missile was most of not long ago tested on April TV described the missile as having at least a -kilometer -mile range It also noted the missile can identify and strike a designated target among multiple ones without GPS guidance and with pinpoint accuracy In reaction to a May comment by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the platform X in which he warns Iran about its backing for the Houthis in Yemen Nasirzade commented if war is initiated by the U S or Israel Iran will strike their interests bases and forces wherever they are and whenever necessary Nasirzadeh added We have no hostility toward neighboring countries and seek brotherly relations but in the event of an attack U S bases in the region will be considered legitimate targets Regarding a latest missile attack by Yemen s Houthis on Israel Nasirzadeh revealed Yemen is an independent nation making its own decisions and rejected U S attempts to link Iran to the conflict there Tehran created its ballistic missile scheme after suffering through Iraqi Scud missile attacks in the Iran-Iraq war and as a hedge against its Western-armed neighbors as embargos have kept it from accessing modern attack aircraft The missile announcement comes amid escalating tensions following the strike on Israel s Ben Gurion Airport by the Houthis In response Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed notable retaliation against both the Houthis and their Iranian supporters The circumstance marks a key escalation in regional hostilities Meanwhile indirect talks between Iran and the United States which were scheduled for May in Rome were suspended last week Iran s Foreign Ministry announced the postponement came at the request of Oman s foreign minister who has been mediating the negotiations A new date has yet to be reported President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran s venture if a deal isn t reached Iranian executives increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels