Iran Tests ‘New Missile’ As Tensions With U.S. Continue

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard says it has successfully test-fired a “new missile” amid growing tensions with the United States and the unraveling of the nuclear deal with world powers. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Guard, said Gen. Hossein Salami told a group of clerics Saturday about the missile test a day earlier. He called it “one of the successful days of the nation,” but did not give any further details on the weapon or the test itself. On Thursday, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani officially debuted an Iran-made air-defense missile system, the Bavar-373. Since 1992, Iran has developed a homegrown defense industry. The U.S. re-imposed sanctions on Iran after it pulled out of the 2015 nuclear agreement over concerns about Iran’s missile program and regional influence. The Trump Administration argued the accord did not do enough to limit Iran’s ballistic missile program.