Israel Tests Nuke-Capable Missile Amid Threats to Iran

Surprise Test Launch a 'Technological Achievement,' Insists Barak

With officials still talking about the possibility of launching an attack on Iran while the weather is still nice, a surprise launch of a nuke-capable missile capable of hitting Iran fueled even more speculation.

The missile, which officials would only identify as a “ballistic missile,” was a long-range missile fired from Palmachim base with the capability of delivering a nuclear warhead. Its range would make it ideal for taking part in the Israeli attack.

Nuclear Minister Dan Meridor denied that the test was a prelude to an attack on Iran, saying “the two things are separate.” It seems unlikely to be a coincidence, however, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak touted it as a “technological achievement” for Israel’s military.

Israeli officials have been talking up the prospect of attacking Iran in the media for the past several days, but officials expressed a preference for the nation to convince the US to launch the attack instead.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.