After U.S.-Israel Talks, Iran Announces Test Launch of New Missile

The test of the solid-fuel Sajjil-2missile reportedly took place in the northern Iranian city of Semnan, where Ahmadinejad spoke shortly after. "Sajjil-2, which has advanced technology, was launched from Semnan and hit its exact target," the state-run Fars news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. "In the near future, we will launch more powerful missiles with longer ranges."

U.S. defense officials said the Pentagon is studying the launch.

The announcement comes just after Israeli Prime Minister and President Barack Obama met in the Oval Office for two hours Monday to discuss Israeli and American approaches toward Iran. Mr. Obama said then that the U.S. administration is willing to seek stronger sanctions against Iran if it refuses to curb its nuclear program, adding that he expects to see a "good-faith effort" from Iran by the end of year. The test Wednesday is likely to deepen Israeli concerns about Iran's military intentions in the region.

Last November, Iran test-fired a forerunner to the missile launched Wednesday - the Sajjil, also with a range of 1,200 miles. The earlier version of the missile uses liquid fuel; the Sejil-2 uses solid fuel, which takes up less space in the weapon's 85-foot length. The BBC reported that solid-fuel missiles are more accurate than those powered by liquid fuel.

In a speech to several thousand supporters Wednesday, Ahmadinejad reportedly described the launch in belligerent terms. "In the nuclear case, we send them a message: Today the Islamic Republic of Iran is running the show," Ahmadinejad said in a speech that was broadcast live on Iranian television. "We say to the superpowers, who of you dare to threaten the Iranian nation? Raise your hand! But they all stand there with their hands behind their backs."

The announcement also comes as campaigning begins in earnest for Iran's upcoming June 12 president election. On Wednesday, the country's electoral authorities confirmed the eligibility of four candidates from a field of more than 450 people - including more than three dozen women - who had registered as potential candidates. Four men -- Ahmadinejad; Mir Hussein Moussavi, a moderate politician and former prime minister; Mehdi Karroubi, another moderate politician and former speaker of Parliament; and Mohsen Rezai, a former head of the Revolutionary Guards - will be allowed to run.