In a statement published by the official news agency IRNA, General Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' (Pasdaran) Air forces, said the Shahab-3 missile was ``a tool for defending the Islamic world and oppressed nations.''

Qalibaf told IRNA: ``The Islamic Republic of Iran showed in the past that it is never seeking war, and that strengthening its defensive power is only aimed at deterring enemies' aggression.''

He emphasized that ``experience has shown that Muslims' pacifism has only made enemies more aggressive. An example of this is the Zionist regime's expansionist and aggressive policies.''

The West's ``sensationalism and propaganda'' about Iran's missile test, he affirmed, ``Comes at a time when the West possesses 95 percent of the enriched plutonium in the world, enough for producing 60,000 (nuclear)bombs and warheads.''

Qalibaf dismissed claims that Russia cooperated with Iran in production of the Shahab-3, adding that Iran turned to production of the missiles during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).

The general said the Pasdaran were capable of producing missiles with ranges of 100-1,300 kilometres (60-780 miles).

Qalibaf said the Shahab-3 missile is 17 meters long and weighs 16 tons and that its warhead can carry at least 1,200 kilos of explosives. The missile is the least vulnerable to missile-defense systems, he added.

The New York Times published a report on July 23 saying Iran had tested a missile capable of hitting Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The report was confirmed by the White House and the Pentagon, which described it as medium-range.

The Scud B and C missiles used up to now by Iran have a range of 300 to 500 kilometres (180 to 320 miles), according to the Pentagon.