Israel on Wednesday successfully tested what local media called a "ballistic missile" as speculation in the Jewish state grew over the possibility of an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. A defence ministry official described the launch to AFP as a "test firing of the rocket-propulsion system" which he said had long been scheduled. He did not give further details.
Haaretz newspaper, which like public radio described the weapon as a ballistic missile, quoted the ministry as saying that the test was unrelated to a report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking cabinet support for a pre-emptive strike on Iran. Defence Minister Ehud Barak praised the engineers and technicians behind Wednesday's launch.
"This is an impressive technological achievement and an important step in Israel's progress in the area of missiles and space," he said in a statement before leaving on a visit to Britain. Public radio reported the test was carried out at the Palmachim military base south of Tel Aviv. Citing foreign defence analysts, the radio said the system is capable of firing ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. The test came as local media speculation grew about the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran. Reports said a strike is opposed by a number of cabinet ministers and by the heads of the army and the intelligence services.
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