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Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: the new Iranian missile is an upgrade of an older one with a 200km range. Vahid Salemi/AP

Iran holds second test with surface-to-surface missile

The ‘Ghader’ missile is an upgraded version of a previous missile with a 200km reach – prompting fears of marine warfare.

THE IRANIAN NAVY says it has test-fired a surface-to-surface cruise missile during a drill in international waters, its State-run press agency has said.

The missile, called Ghader (‘Capable’ in Farsi) was described as an upgraded version of a missile already in service. The navy, IRNA, said the missile “successfully hit its intended target” during the drill.

An earlier version of the same cruise missile had a range of 200km and could travel at low altitudes. There were suggestions it could counter the US naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

Iran’s navy drill, which could bring its ships into proximity with US Navy vessels that operate in the same area, is Iran’s latest show of strength in the face of mounting international criticism over its nuclear program.

The 10-day exercise comes amid conflicting comments from Iranian officials over Tehran’s intentions to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and US warnings against such an ominous move.

The latest version of the Ghader was delivered in September to the naval division of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which is assigned to protect sea borders. At the time, Tehran said the missile is capable of destroying warships.

“In comparison with the previous version, the highly advanced Ghader missile system has been upgraded in terms of its radar, satellite communications, precision in target destruction, as well as range and radar-evading mechanism,” a spokesman said.

State TV showed footage depicting the launch of a missile, which was fired high into the sky, and said it was capable of hitting targets “hundreds of kilometers away” from the point of origin. The broadcast said two more missiles, with a shorter range, were also tested today.

The testing comes just a day after Iran’s navy said it had tested an advanced surface-to-air missile called Mehrab (‘altar’) which was described as medium-range.

The sea manoeuvres  cover a 2,000-kilometre stretch of water beyond the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the passageway for one-sixth of the world’s oil supply, and parts of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

A leading Iranian lawmaker said yesterday that the manoeuvres would serve as practice for closing the Strait of Hormuz if the West blocks Iran’s oil sales.

- Nasser Karimi

Read: Iran tests surface-to-air missile

More: Iran produces its first nuclear rod

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    Mute Tim Lawson
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    Apr 28th 2012, 4:12 PM

    There is great need to stop cyber crime, but the same old chestnut…who will police the police.

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    Mute James Duffy
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    Sep 28th 2013, 8:47 AM

    Police.

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    Mute Gavin McGuinness
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    Apr 28th 2012, 4:26 PM

    I have no idea why the house would pass legislation like this. It goes against 1st amendment rights! Now companies have a legal immunity to sieve through and share your personal information without you knowing or giving your permission.
    Thank god the EU and data protection commissioners have more of a backbone and are able to dissect corporate enforced laws.
    Shame on the US political system and more importantly the GOP.

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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    Apr 28th 2012, 4:51 PM

    The merger of corporations and government controling peoples affairs is called facism as Mussollini said and he would know.

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    Mute Nivag Yeoh
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    Apr 28th 2012, 5:26 PM

    Yes. He himself said that fascism could also be termed corporatism.

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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    Apr 28th 2012, 5:47 PM

    Very true and its exactly whats going on in Europe at the moment, nothing other than a corporate takeover.

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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    Apr 28th 2012, 4:36 PM

    Yeah Obama, just like you said you would veto the NDAA but snuck it in on New Years eve. The charade is wearing thin at this stage plus this article is pretty lame. If your looking for a proper write up on the dangers of CISPA and the erosion of our privacy check out techdirt and other independant publications that give unbiased views on it unlike AP. Getting clearer by the day that facist fcuks are in charge.

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    Mute Ed Kavanagh
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    Apr 29th 2012, 3:28 AM

    The public in the US are staring at a world of pain as the banks implement the Police State. This is the imminent future for us Europeans. Private security interrogation on public transport via TSA Gestapo goons. Drone surveillance and execution via the NDAA. What a nightmare. And people still persist in believing its all to stop the scary Muslims in the cave of Bora Bora. Times is running out fast for people to wake IP and take action.

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    Mute James Duffy
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    Sep 28th 2013, 8:45 AM

    Big Daddy. US. Is watching all countries for its own interest.

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