Iran on Sunday unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of up to 1.200 kilometers, state media reported, while Western countries expressed concern.
"The Ghasem Basir solid-fuel ballistic missile, with a range of at least 1.200 kilometers, is Iran's latest defense achievement," Iranian state television announced, AFP reported.
Western countries are concerned about the progress of Iran's ballistic missile program, already accused of destabilizing the Middle East, and whose missile capabilities put Israel, its sworn enemy, within firing range.
State television aired footage of the launch of the new missile during an interview with Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh.
"If we are attacked and a war is launched against us, we will retaliate violently and target their interests and bases," the minister said.
He added that Iran "does not harbor hostility towards neighboring countries, but American bases are Iranian targets."
The unveiling of the new missile comes as Tehran and Washington have been holding talks mediated by Oman since April 12, the first at that level since the United States withdrew from an international agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program in 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term.
In early May, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Fox News, called on Iran to "abandon the development of long-range missiles that have no other purpose than to possess nuclear weapons."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on April 27 for a deal with Tehran that would "eliminate Iran's uranium enrichment capacity" and deprive Iran of ballistic missiles.
Tehran has ruled out any talks with Washington about its military and defense capabilities, including its ballistic missile program.
Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if diplomacy fails and has imposed additional sanctions on Iran's oil sector.
In early February, Iran unveiled another ballistic missile, with an alleged range of up to 1.700 kilometers.
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