Iran's unveils ballistic missile with '2,000km range'

Tehran has expanded its missile programme amid US and European concerns

Iran has successfully tested a ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km, state media reported on Thursday as the weapon was unveiled in Tehran.

State TV broadcast what it said was footage of a fourth generation of Iran's Khorramshahr ballistic missile that is capable of carrying a 1,500kg warhead.

The unveiling of the missile came two days after the chief of Israel's military raised the prospect of taking action against Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Iran has said its weapons are capable of reaching Israel and US bases in the region.

Despite opposition from the US and European countries, Tehran says it will further develop its defensive missile programme.

"Our message to Iran's enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help regional stability," Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said at the unveiling of the new missile.

“One of the prominent characteristics of this missile is its ability to evade radar detection and penetrate enemy air defence systems, thanks to its low radar signature," he said. “This missile has the capability to utilise various warheads for different missions.”

According to state media, the high-mobility tactical missile "can reach Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside the atmosphere".

The United States and France condemned Iran's continued development of missiles after the test firing of the new Khorramshahr-4 was announced.

"Iran's development, and proliferation of, ballistic missiles poses a serious threat to regional and international security and remains a significant non-proliferation challenge," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

"An Iran with a nuclear weapon would likely act even more provocatively, and that's why we are so committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

France said Iran's long-range ballistic missile test breached UN Security Council resolution 2231, which was adopted in 2015.

"These activities are all the more worrying in the context of the continuing escalation of Iran's nuclear programme," the French Foreign Ministry said.

The Khorramshahr-4 missile is also called Kheibar, state news agency Irna reported.

"The domestically built Kheibar missile's outstanding features include quick preparation and launch time, which makes it a tactical weapon in addition to a strategic one," it said.

It remains unclear, however, why the missile has been called Khorramshahr-4 as only two other variants of the missile are publicly known. It is modelled on North Korea's Musudan ballistic missile, which is believed to have a range of up to a 4,000km with a 500kg payload.

On Tuesday, a senior Israeli general raised the prospect of action against Iran amid growing concerns about Tehran’s accelerating nuclear programme.

Talks have stalled over the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal that imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear projects.

Iran denies trying to develop nuclear weapons.