TEHRAN, Iran — Iran test-fired a missile capable of striking Israel, US Mideast bases and Europe yesterday — a show of strength from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as he battles for re-election next month against more moderate opponents.
The United States responded by saying Iran must choose between destabilizing the Middle East or accepting the dialogue offered by President Obama, who this week said Iran could face further international sanctions if it does not respond positively by year-end to US attempts to open nuclear negotiations.
Israel said the test appeared to be Iran’s response to a positive meeting Monday between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Alex Vatanka, a senior Middle East analyst at Jane’s Information Group, said the test “does not change the strategic equation” in the region because Iran for more than a decade has had the missile capability to hit Israel and much of the Middle East.