Iran Test-Fires Ballistic Missile Amid Mounting Tensions In Strait Of Hormuz

Amid souring relations between Iran, the U.S. and now the U.K., and tension building up in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran test fired a medium-range ballistic missile, the Shahab-3, which has a range of more than 1,000 kms.

A U.S. official confirmed that Iran test fired a medium-range ballistic missile late Wednesday, and that it traveled from its southern launch point into northern Iran, remaining inside Iran throughout its flight. Analysts, according to CNN, said Iran didn’t violate any United Nations resolutions but the firing is destabilizing given the tense situation in the Gulf. Iranian officials said their missile program is “strictly” for defensive purposes, as well as to improve range and accuracy.

Relations between Washington and Tehran took a downward turn last year after the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions. According to Radio Farda, U.S. officials said Iran’s continued testing of ballistic missiles violated the spirit of the accord, claiming the technology can be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed that he would “happily go to Iran for talks” to ease out escalating tensions between the two countries. “If there’s the call, I’d happily go there. I would welcome the chance to speak directly to the Iranian people,” Pompeo said. Trump and Iranian leaders had publicily said talks were a possibility.

However, the prospect for dialogue receded Wednesday, when the top military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran would not negotiate with Washington under any circumstances.