Report: Iran builds new underground ballistic missile factory

In January, US officials say that Iran has conducted a ballistic missile test in violation of the UN resolution put in place after the Iran nuclear deal.

By REUTERS

MAY 25, 2017 12:15

Updated: MAY 25, 2017 13:31

Iran tests new precision-guided ballistic missile‏ [File] (photo credit: IRANIAN MEDIA) — Iran tests new precision-guided ballistic missile‏ [File]

(photo credit: IRANIAN MEDIA)

Iran has built a third underground ballistic missile production factory and will keep developing its missile program, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday, in a development likely to fuel tension with Arab neighbors and Washington.

"Iran's third underground factory has been built by the Guards in recent years ... We will continue to further develop our missile capabilities forcefully," Fars quoted the head of the Republican Guard’s airspace division, Amirali Hajizadeh, as saying.

Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran's recent missile launches, putting Tehran "on notice."

Iran's Sunni Gulf neighbors and its arch-enemy Israel have expressed concerns over Tehran's ballistic missile program, seeing it as a threat to regional security.

Suspected Iran missile launch on Jan. 29, 2017 is "unacceptable" says US UN rep Haley (credit: REUTERS)

"It is natural that our enemies America and the Zionist regime (Israel) are angry with our missile program because they want Iran to be in a weak position," Hajizadeh said.

In retaliation for the new US sanctions, Iran had added nine American individuals and companies to its own list of 15 US companies for alleged human rights violations and cooperation with Israel.

In January, US officials say that Iran has conducted a ballistic missile test in violation of the UN resolution put in place after the Iran nuclear deal.

Officials told Fox News that the test occurred outside Semnan, about 140 miles east of Tehran, on Sunday.

The missile in question was the Khorramshahr medium-range ballistic missile, which the officials said flew 600 miles before exploding, in a failed test of a reentry vehicle.

The test was in direct violation of UN resolution 2231, which stated that Iran could not conduct such acts.

Jpost.com Staff contributed to this report.