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The United States on Wednesday renewed accusations that Iran is secretly trying to develop atomic weapons and said that the program along with Tehran's possession of missiles threaten Middle East and global security. "They've got a clandestine weapons program, which, combined with delivery systems, is a threat to stability," deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said when asked about Iran's test earlier Wednesday of an upgraded version of its conventional, medium-range Shahab-3 missile. "The United States has serious concerns about Iran's missile programs and views Iran's efforts to further develop its missile capabilities as a threat to the region and to United States interests," he said later in a statement. Ereli had no specific reaction to the test, reported by Iran's official IRNA news agency, but said Washington was troubled by recent developments, including Tehran's continued denials of US claims that it is using a civilian nuclear energy program to conceal atomic weapons development. "We believe they're of concern and we are working with our international partners to address them," he told reporters, referring to efforts by US allies on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold Iran to commitments on its nuclear program. The Shahab-3 is considered the mainstay of Iran's military technology and portrayed as purely defensive and dissuasive, but specifically is a weapon against arch-foe Israel, which two weeks ago tested its Arrow II anti-missile missile. In the July 28 test of the Arrow II missile, Israel made it clear the improved anti-missile system was aimed squarely at fending off any attack by Iran. Tehran fears Israel could strike its controversial nuclear program. The Shahab-3 missile, whose name means "meteor" or "shooting star" in Farsi, is thought to be capable of carrying a 1,000-kilogramme (one-tonne) warhead at least 1,300 kilometers (800 miles), well within range of Israel. It is believed to be derived from technology acquired from Pakistan and North Korea, though Iran's defense minister has denied any dealings with Pyongyang. All rights reserved. Copyright 2003 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse. Quick Links
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