According to Iranian sources the new missile will enter production soon, following a recent successful test flight.
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The Fateh 313 missile was revealed during a ceremony marking the anniversary of Iran’s military industry, attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Iran on Saturday unveiled a new short-range surface-to-surface missile with a range of 500 km and said military might was a precondition for peace and effective diplomacy, Reuters reported. “We will purchase and sell arms wherever and whenever we deem necessary and will not wait for approval from anyone or any resolutions”, he said.
The announcement comes weeks after Iran and world powers reached a deal requiring Tehran to limit its nuclear programme in return for the West easing economic sanctions. “We can engage in a good and constructive negotiation with other parties only when we are powerful and capable”, he said.
Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan announced at the ceremony that the country wants to beef-up its military capability.
“A weak country incapable of confronting and defending against the military power of its neighbours and enemies can not claim to seek peace, as it should only be prepared to be occupied at any moment”, the president said in a televised speech at the event.
Iran would continue its present trend in defence areas to maintain its power and safeguard its security, he said.
The new version of the missiles has a lighter body weight.
Re-opening the embassy could unsettle British allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel which have poor relations with Iran.
Senior IRGC commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh said Iran would hold major ballistic missile tests in the “near future”.
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“Some wrongly think Iran has suspended its ballistic missile programs in the last two years and has made a deal on its missile program…”
