Iran defense chief says Emad missile "conventional"

Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan said here Wednesday that the long-range Emad missile which Iran test-fired in October is "totally conventional," official IRNA news agency reported.

In October, Iran announced that Emad was the country's first long-range missile that could be guided and controlled until hitting the target with high precision.

The remarks by Dehqan came as a response to a United Nations experts' report Tuesday, which said Iran violated the UN Security Council Resolution 1929 by test-firing the Emad missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

The UN report said the Emad ballistic missile has a range of "no less than 1,000 km with a payload of at least 1,000 kg."

Under Resolution 1929, Iran is prohibited from working on ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

On Wednesday, Dehqan said the test in October was based on its own interests for enhancement of its deterrent power.

"Iran will not accept any restrictions in this regard," he said.

The Islamic Republic is believed to have the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East and has developed a 2,000-km missile. Endit