Israeli Security Agencies: Iran Has Not Conducted Missile Tests

Israeli security agencies state that reports regarding the ballistic missile test of "Khorramshahr" by the Islamic Republic of Iran are incorrect. Previously, Fox News and CNN had quoted U.S. security officials saying that such a test had not taken place. In this context, the Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday, October 5, and the Jerusalem Post on Thursday reported that investigations by the Israeli security system indicate that Iran has not conducted missile tests in recent days. The Jerusalem Post noted that after Fox News, CNN also reported that American radars and other sensitive equipment capable of detecting activities such as missile tests did not track such an event. U.S. officials told these media outlets that the footage aired by Iranian television regarding the "successful" test belonged to January (eight months ago) and that the missile exploded in the air after launch. On September 21, marking the anniversary of the start of the Iraq-Iran war, Iran showcased the "Khorramshahr" missile as the latest ballistic missile of the country, capable of carrying multiple warheads and having a range of two thousand kilometers, during a military parade in Tehran in front of Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, described the "Khorramshahr" missile along with six other long-range missiles of Iran as part of the "Israel killer" missiles. A day later, on October 1, some Iranian media, including the state-run IRIB TV, claimed that Iran had also successfully launched the "Khorramshahr" missile and aired footage to prove it. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, tweeted hours after the claim of the "successful" launch of the "Khorramshahr" missile: "Iran tested another missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also collaborating with North Korea; there cannot be much agreement between us." Israeli media also reported that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, called a special meeting of the political-security cabinet, which includes only ministers of sensitive positions along with the head of Mossad, the internal security agency, and the army commander, to discuss the Iranian missile test. Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli Defense Minister, also stated before the cabinet meeting that the Iranian missile test "proves" that Iran threatens the security of the U.S. and Israel, as well as "not only the region but the free world." According to the Jerusalem Post, Mr. Lieberman added: "Imagine what would happen if Iran equipped this missile with a nuclear warhead, which it seeks; we must not allow such a thing to happen."