Iran builds rocket with range of 2,000 km

Iran said yesterday it had built a new missile with a range of 2,000 km, a step analysts said could add more power to Teheran's conventional arsenal when tensions over its atomic plans are rising.

Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar did not say how the new weapon differed from the Shahab-3, a missile officials had previously said could hit targets 2,000 km away, far enough to reach arch-foe Israel.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has never aimed to launch an attack on any country. It will never do so. But if someone wants to invade Iran, they will face a crushing response by the armed forces," Najjar said, the state broadcaster's website reported.