Iran 'successfully' test-fires ballistic missile

TEHRAN-- Iran has successfully test-fired two missile, one of them a surface-to-surface long-range ballistic missile, official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.

The test-fired ballistic missile was a "new generation" of the country's previously developed ballistic missiles, the report quoted Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan as saying.

The new ballistic missile is of radar-evading capability, Dehqan said, adding that this missile is developed for destroying enemy's military equipment. The report did not elaborate on the range, optimized aspects of the ballistic missile and the test time.

Another test-fired missile, called Bina, is laser-guided and can be launched from the ground or from aircraft, said Dehqan, adding that it is used for targeting armored tank, bridges, commandment headquarters and enemy's military equipment.

Iran is in possession of surface-to-surface missiles with a range about 2,000 km.

On Monday, Iran's deputy foreign minister and a senior nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, said that Iran's defensive issues are a red line for the country and it will not allow "such issues to be raised in upcoming nuclear talks" with powers.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. nuclear negotiator, said last week that Iran's missile program would be one of the discussion topics in a possible comprehensive nuclear agreement.