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Iran Tests Missile in Gulf in 'Warning' to US
Nine weapons fired into strategic waterway as alert to 'enemies'
By Jason Farago
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Posted Jul 9, 08 6:58 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Iran demonstrated its military might today by firing nine long- and medium-range missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, which 40% of the world's oil passes through. Reports on Iranian television said that one of the weapons fired was the Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of 1,250 miles. The White House reacted by saying that Iran must end missile tests "if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world."
Today's missile testing is the latest in a series of mixed messages from the regime in Tehran, the Guardian reports. An Iranian navy commander said that the test was intended to "demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies." But yesterday Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of American or Israeli attacks as a "funny joke," adding, "I assure you that there won't be any war in the future."