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Yesterday Iran launched nine missiles as part of military exercises designed to accomplish the following: Deter military action against its accelerating nuclear program;Undermine the international coalition seeking to dissuade Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon;Intimidate its neighbors; andBoost President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's flagging domestic political support. While the missile display revealed little in the way of new Iranian military capabilities, it underscored the willingness of President Ahmadinejad's belligerent regime to resort to brinksmanship as part of its hostile foreign policy. Iran's missile-rattling provides one more reminder -- if any were needed -- that the United States and its allies need to...

The US has said it will not hesitate to defend its interests and those of its allies as Iran continues missile tests. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US had increased its security in the region and Iran should not be "confused" about US capabilities. Iran tested missiles on Wednesday that could reach Israel, and on Thursday carried out further tests. Meanwhile French energy giant Total has said it will not invest in Iran because it is too politically risky. New tests Condoleezza Rice was speaking during a visit to Georgia. She said: "We take very strongly our obligation...

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Iran's Photoshopped Missile Launch At least one of the photographs released today by Iran and published by an unquestioning Western media is a Photoshop fake: (Hat tip: webs87.) UPDATE at 7/9/08 8:20:34 pm: An animated version at Suitably Flip: Mahmoud the Fauxtographer.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Iran's test of a long-range missile shows the need for the United States to expand its missile defense system into Europe, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran's test of a long-range missile shows that it is "a real threat." 1 of 2 "We've been saying as we talk about missile defense in Europe that there is a real threat, and the test this morning underscores it," Gates said hours after Iran's test. Russia has strongly opposed the U.S. program of expanding the missile defense system into Eastern Europe in countries such...

At least one of the photographs released today by Iran and published by an unquestioning Western media has been Photoshopped:

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 – Iran’s test of short- and medium-range missiles is a disturbing development and points to the need for a European missile defense system, Pentagon officials said here today. Iran tested at least seven missiles yesterday, according to news reports, capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe. “Iran’s development of ballistic missiles is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said to reporters traveling with President Bush in Japan. “The Iranians should stop the development of ballistic missiles, which could be used...

The US and Israel have condemned Iran after it test-fired a long range missile capable of reaching Israel. Iran state media said nine missiles were tested in total, including a new Shahab-3, with a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles). Iran has tested the missile before, but the latest launch comes amid rising tensions with the US and Israel over the country's nuclear programme. US Under-secretary of State William Burns said the test was "provocative". He told a Congressional hearing: "We view force as an option that is on the table but a last resort. Israel should prepare itself to do...

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran test-fired nine missiles on Wednesday and warned the United States and Israel it was ready to retaliate if they attacked the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear projects. Washington, which says Iran seeks atomic bombs, told Tehran to halt further tests if it wanted the world to trust it. Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, insists its nuclear program aims only at generating electricity. Rising tensions have rattled financial markets. Oil prices, which had slipped from record highs, rebounded about $2 a barrel after Wednesday's tests. Speculation that Israel could strike Iran has mounted since...

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has test fired nine long- and medium-range missiles, including one which it has previously said could travel as far as Israel and U.S. bases in the region, state media reported on Wednesday. The tests occurred at a time of increased tension between Iran and Israel over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme, which the West fears is aimed at making bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is only for power generation.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran test fired nine long- and medium-range missiles on Wednesday, state media said, including one which it has said could reach Israel and U.S. bases in the region. The tests occurred at a time of increased tension between Iran and Israel over Tehran's nuclear program, which the West fears is aimed at making bombs. Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, says its program is only for electricity. A New York Times report in June said Israel had practiced an attack on Iranian nuclear sites, and the tension has rattled financial markets. U.S. and London Brent crude...

Sources from inside Iran have advised that earlier today, July 8th, the Islamic regime has fired missiles at, and sent mortar shells into Camp Ashraf, where the Mojaheddin (MEK) in Iraq are sequestered.

the People’s Republic of China won’t help the U.S. rein in the rogue regime of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il -- which this week conducted a failed test of a missile designed to reach American cities -- then the U.S. should stop helping China with its own economic and technological development. China must support the U.S. position on North Korea in the U.N. Security Council or pay a price for not doing so. In response to North Korea’s missile tests, Japan has sponsored a resolution in the Security Council that would bar nations from giving North Korea money, material...

The same North Korean ICBM efforts that throw a rock at Alaska can throw a large nuclear warhead at every ally the United States has in Northeast Asia. Japan and South Korea are not only close allies, they are critical trading partners. The risk of a war in this part of the world would inevitably threaten Chinese involvement in some form, and possible bloc trade with much of China for an extended period even if China did not become involved. Our troops and our bases in most of Asia would be at hazard as well. Americans need to stop thinking...

When it became clear that the Taepodong 2 missile North Korea test-launched early on July 4 had broken up less than a minute into flight and plunged into the Sea of Japan, many Americans felt a sense of relief. After all, the missile — belonging to a class that is thought capable of reaching the U.S. mainland — had failed, and Kim Jong Il had been embarrassed in the eyes of the world, if not those of the North Koreans who were told nothing of the test’s outcome. But an embarrassed menace is a menace nonetheless. Despite North Korea’s failure...

Iran launched 'secret' rocket test From correspondents in BerlinFebruary 04, 2006IRAN secretly tested a new surface-to-surface missile (SSM) on January 17, seeking to establish the measurements needed for long-range missiles, the German daily Die Welt reported in its issue to appear today. The test, conducted by members of the Revolutionary Guard led by Yahya Rahim Safavi, was successful, according to Western diplomats cited by the newspaper, which did not indicate the location where the test took place. On January 28, Safavi said that Iran would use its ballistic missiles if it was attacked. "Iran has a ballistic missile with...