Iran carried out suspected missile system tests near Tehran on Thursday evening local time, Sepah Pasdaran News, IRGC-affiliated outlet. Iranian authorities didn’t confirm the launches.

Objects beaming with light were visible in the night skies of Tehran, Sari, Gorgan and Semnam, with snapshots showing the trail of smoke left by the missiles. Sepah Pasdaran News shared images of these luminous arcs in the sky, as reported by Newsweek.

Iran missile launch

A video shared by Iran Observer on X had the caption: “Numerous new missiles are being prepared for a possible new round of war with Israel.” The tests happened a few months after a 12-day war in June, when Israel and the U.S. conducted strikes on sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel said it destroyed parts of Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities, while U.S. forces hit other nuclear sites. The missile launches show that Iran wants to project strength and protect its nuclear ambitions. Iran says its missile arsenal is defensive, but these weapons have been a focus of tension with Israel and Western countries, as stated by Newsweek.

Iran nuclear program

With US and Israel raining havoc on Israeli nuclear sites earlier this year, tensions in the Middle East have been on a rise. European countries like France and Germany have also considered strengthening sanctions on Iran, after reports suggested that nuclear programs resumed in the country post the Israeli offensive. On Wednesday, Iran rejected U.S. talks about missile restrictions, calling such demands a block to diplomacy.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: “The United States is in no position to make decisions about Iran’s national defence capabilities.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “A nuclear Iran governed by a radical cleric that possesses nuclear weapons and missiles is an unacceptable risk for Israel, the U.S., and the world.”

These missile tests show Iran’s defiance after the U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear and missile infrastructure. The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution to reimpose sanctions, part of a European-led effort over Tehran’s alleged JCPOA violations. Because negotiations are stalled and Iran is continuing to develop its missiles, tensions in the region are expected to remain high, as mentioned in the report by Newsweek.

FAQs

Q1. Why did Iran test missiles near Tehran?
Iran tested missiles to show strength and protect its nuclear program after U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Q2. How did the world react to Iran’s missile tests?
The U.N. is planning a vote on sanctions, and countries like the U.S., France, Germany, and the U.K. are closely watching Iran’s nuclear and missile activities.