U.S. says Iran should stop missile tests

By Tabassum Zakaria

TOYAKO, Japan (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday Iran should immediately halt development of ballistic missiles and stop conducting tests if it wanted to gain the trust of the world.

The comments came after Tehran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles, including one it previously said could reach Israel and U.S. bases in the region.

View missiles below!

U.S. says Iran should stop missile tests | Reuters.com

Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world", White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in Japan where U.S. President George W. Bush was attending the Group of Eight summit.

"The Iranians should stop the development of ballistic missiles, which could be used as a delivery vehicle for a potential nuclear weapon, immediately," he said.

The missile tests occurred at a time of heightened tension between Iran and Israel over Tehran's disputed nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at making bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is for power generation.

News of Iran's missile test came as the G8 expressed "serious concern" over Iran's failure to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for Tehran to suspend all enrichment-related activities.

Last month, six major world powers offered a package of economic incentives to Iran if it halted nuclear activities. Tehran's formal response to that offer has not been made public.

"We call on Iran to respond to the updated incentives package in a constructive manner," the G8 statement said. "We also urge Iran to act in a more responsible and constructive manner in the region, particularly in the context of the Middle East peace process and the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan."

More?

U.S. says Iran should stop missile tests | Politics | Reuters

This is not the best time to be testing missiles,somebody may get nervous!

I'm surprised that there is no comment on this story! I posted it around 7:30 AM this morning.

I'm still in limbo on what it means...

I've heard 70 interpretations on the fallout...

__________________
"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Update

The US has said it will not hesitate to defend its interests and those of its allies as Iran continues missile tests.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US had increased its security in the region and Iran should not be "confused" about US capabilities.

Iran tested missiles on Wednesday that could reach Israel, and on Thursday carried out further tests.

Meanwhile French energy giant Total has said it will not invest in Iran because it is too politically risky.

New tests

Condoleezza Rice was speaking during a visit to Georgia.

She said: "We take very strongly our obligation to defend our allies and we intend to do that.

"In the Gulf area, the United States has enhanced its security capacity, its security presence and we are working closely with all our allies... to make [sure] they are capable of defending themselves."

The Iranian military said on Thursday its Revolutionary Guards had carried out further medium- and long-range missile tests overnight.

The tests included the first night test of the Shahab-3 missile, said to have a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles), along with shore-to-sea, surface-to-surface and sea-to-air missiles, state media reported.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says this appears another gesture of defiance following the international condemnation of Wednesday's tests. Media reports appeared to be delivered as a matter of pride.

Ms Rice said it was about time Iran "got on the right side of the international community".

BBC NEWS | Middle East | US warns Iran on missile threat

I think the world should create an international organization that stops stuff like this...We could call it "The United Nations"...

It's obvious it's never been tried before...

__________________
"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Oh good.
I'm not the only one.

Here is an update to the story... Sorry I missed it. I had to deal with the CP subscriptions and most of them were a waste. I'm hoping that Israel and others do nuke the 43+ facilities and put Iran out of the nuke weapons business. You can't talk to people that want war!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iran tests more missiles as U.S. vows to defend allies By Alistair Lyon
1 hour, 27 minutes ago

Iran tests more missiles as U.S. vows to defend allies - Yahoo! News

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran tested more missiles in the Gulf on Thursday, state media said, and the United States reminded Tehran that it was ready to defend its allies.

The United States, which accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear arms, said after Iran test-fired nine missiles on Wednesday that there should be no more such tests if Iran wanted the world's trust. An intelligence official in Washington said there had been a second test and that it was small.

U.S. leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to assuage fears about Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is only to produce electricity.

Israel, which has long been assumed to have its own atomic arsenal, has sworn to prevent Iran from emerging as a nuclear-armed power. Last month it staged an air force exercise that stoked speculation about a possible assault on Iranian nuclear sites.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he favored diplomatic pressure and sanctions, but: "Israel is the strongest country in the region and has proved in the past it is not afraid to take action when its vital security interests are at stake."