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Published: 2:02PM BST 20 Aug 2010 Ahmad Vahidi’s announcement comes a day before Iran is scheduled to
launch its Russian-built first nuclear power plant in the southern port
city of Bushehr.
Television images showed the sand coloured Qiam (Rising) blasting into
the air from a desert terrain, amid chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is
greatest). The words “Ya Mahdi” were written on the side of the missile, referring
to Imam Mahdi, one of the 12 imams of Shiite Islam, who disappeared as a
boy and whom the faithful believe will return one day to bring
redemption to mankind. Mr Vahidi, who was speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran, did not say
when the launch took place nor did he disclose the precise range of the
missile. “The missile has new technical aspects and has a unique tactical
capacity,” he said on state television, adding that the device was of a
“new class.” “Since the surface-to-surface missile has no wings, it has lot of
tactical power, which also reduces the chances of it being intercepted,”
he said. On Tuesday, Mr Vahidi had said that Qiam was to be test fired during the
annual government week, the period when Tehran touts its achievements in
various fields. This year government week begins on Monday. The third generation Fateh 110 (Conqueror) missile was also to be test
fired during this period. Iran has previously paraded a version of Fateh
110 which has a travel range of 150 to 200 kilometres (90 to 125 miles). Also during government week, the production lines of two
missile-carrying speedboats, Seraj (Lamp) and Zolfaqar (named after
Shiite Imam Ali’s sword) are due to be inaugurated, while a long-range
drone, Karar, is expected to be unveiled. The firing of Qiam comes days after a top commander from the
Revolutionary Guards said Iran will mass produce replicas of the
Bladerunner 51, often described as the world’s fastest boat, and equip
them with weapons to be deployed in the Gulf. On August 8, Iran took delivery of four new mini-submarines of the
home-produced Ghadir class. Weighing 120 tonnes, the “stealth”
submarines are aimed at operations in shallow waters, notably in the Gulf. Iranian officials regularly boast about the Islamic republic’s military
capabilities and the latest missile launch comes at a time when local
officials have been warning against any attack on the Islamic republic. On Saturday, Iran is launching its Russian-built first nuclear power
plant which eventually aims to generate electricity. The plant is scheduled to go online after more than three decades of delays.
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