Iran appears to have carried out an unannounced intercontinental missile test from the Imam Khomeini launch site last week, according to satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press.
Smoke trails were seen across Iran last week, and two days later an Iranian lawmaker confirmed that the Islamic republic had "for the first time conducted a test of an intercontinental missile."
Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of Iran's parliament, said in a state television interview on Saturday that Iran carried out "a security test" late Thursday night of one of its most advanced intercontinental missiles. His remarks followed the circulation of photos on social media showing unexplained trails in Iran's skies earlier that day.
"Two nights ago, we tested one of the country's most advanced missiles, which had not been tried until now, and the test was successful," Zanganeh said.
He added that despite "the current circumstances, we are conducting a security test of an intercontinental missile." Zanganeh went on to say, "Until now our diplomatic team opposed such steps. We must not turn our strengths into weaknesses."
