Iran's Defense Minister Calls Recent Missile Test a 'Success'

The Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that the recent missile test was 'successful.' At the same time, a German newspaper reported that the tested missile, named 'Somar,' is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Hossein Dehghan said on Thursday, February 3, to the Tasnim news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, that 'this missile test was successful.' He added, 'Iran's missile tests are not in contradiction with the JCPOA and Resolution 2231.' The Iranian Defense Minister did not provide further details about the missile test, but Nikki Haley, the U.S. representative to the United Nations, stated on February 2 that the test was conducted on Sunday and that the Iranian missile 'has the capability to carry a warhead weighing 500 kilograms with a range of up to 300 kilometers.' She added, 'Such a missile can easily carry a nuclear warhead.' In this context, the German newspaper 'Die Welt' reported on Thursday, citing unspecified intelligence sources, that the name of the tested Iranian medium-range missile is 'Somar' and it is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Reuters reported that neither Iran nor the German intelligence agency responded to this report. The newspaper wrote that the Somar missile, which is manufactured in Iran, has a flight range of up to 600 kilometers and its first launch was successful. The missile's range is estimated to be between two to three thousand kilometers. Reuters noted that tracking cruise missiles is more challenging than ballistic ones because they fly at low altitudes, making them difficult for enemy radars to detect. A security expert told Die Welt that the greatest advantage of this missile from Iran's perspective is that it is not mentioned in any UN resolution, unlike ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads that are explicitly named in resolutions. Tehran and six world powers reached an agreement last July regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which addresses Iran's nuclear program. In a resolution issued by the UN in support of this agreement, Iran was prohibited from conducting tests of any ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead for eight years. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted a few hours ago: 'Iran was on its knees and collapsing until the U.S. gave it a new lease on life through the nuclear deal: with $150 billion!' The missile test on Sunday provoked anger from the United States, and Michael Flynn, the National Security Advisor to the U.S. President, strongly warned Iran on Wednesday afternoon. He stated, 'Iran's ballistic missile test puts American lives at risk; it is a threat to the U.S., its friends, and allies in the region, and Washington condemns such actions.' Nevertheless, Iranian officials claim that Iran's missile capabilities are 'defensive' and have a 'deterrent nature.'