Israel test-fires 'Iran' missile

The Arrow project is advancing. The defense establishment conducted Tuesday morning a successful test fire of the Blue Sparrow surrogate ballistic target simulating the threat of Iranian missiles on Israel. The missile is designed to be used as target for the Arrow system experiments in intercepting ballistic missiles. (Infolive TV)

Israel has conducted a test of a ballistic missile aimed at simulating an Iranian attack on Israel.

The test of the "Blue Sparrow" on Tuesday came after Israel's foreign minister said in Qatar the day before that Iran represented "the extremists in the region" and was "a threat and challenge to the entire region".

Mohammed Rada Ashtiani, the deputy commander of the Iranian army, responded on Tuesday by saying that they would "eliminate it from the global arena" if Israel took any action against them.

Israel's missile test follows confirmation from a senior Israeli defence official that the US has agreed to connect the Jewish state to its ballistic missile early warning system "to protect" the regime against any missile attack.

"Israel asked the US to connect to its ballistic missile early warning system as part of its efforts to defend itself from missile attacks. The US has agreed to the request," he said.

The missile was launched from an Israeli air force fighter aircraft, simulating the flight of an advanced Shahab-3 ballistic missile used by Iran.

Ehud Barak, Israel's defence minister, said: "We have to prepare, and if there's a need, to take action, not just to talk idly." (Al-Jazeera)

Earlier on Tuesday, visiting the Palmahim air force base where he viewed the successful testing of the Green Pine Radar, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that Israel is preparing for an all out war, Iran's threats should be taken seriously and Syria continues to provide Hizbullah with rockets. (Infolive tv)