Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/after-u-s-israel-talks-iran-announces-test-launch-of-new-missile Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran had successfully launched a new missile with a range of about 1,200 miles, giving it the capability to hit Israel, southeastern Europe and U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. Margaret Warner reports on the developments. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JIM LEHRER: Iran fired a ballistic missile today in a test that was heard in the Middle East, Washington, and around the world.Margaret Warner has our lead story report. MARGARET WARNER: News of the launch was met with wild cheers, as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed a rally in the city of Semnan.MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, President of Iran (through translator): The Sajjil missile, which has very advanced technology, was launched from Semnan, and it landed precisely on the target. MARGARET WARNER: Ahmadinejad's speech, broadcast live on Iranian television, portrayed the test-firing as an act of defiance against international attempts to stop Iran's nuclear program."In the nuclear case, we send them a message," he said. "Today the Islamic Republic of Iran is running the show. Every center of power which wants to shoot a bullet before it can put its finger on the trigger, we will cut its hands and send it to Hell."State television also broadcast what it said was today's launch. The Sajjil-2 missile was described as a solid-fuel, medium-range, surface-to-surface weapon, with greater accuracy and better navigation than an earlier version.U.S. Defense Secretary Gates said the missile has a range of 1,200 to 1,500 miles. That would place Israel, parts of Eastern Europe, and some U.S. military bases within striking distance.The missile test came just two days after President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met and discussed how to curb Iran's nuclear program.And for the first time, Mr. Obama publicly set an end-of-year timeline for the negotiations he's offered Tehran to show signs of bearing fruit. U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We're not going to have talks forever.