Iran tests anti-ship missile

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TEHRAN, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Iranian missiles can destroy large naval vessels and reach the entire Persian Gulf coastline and U.S. bases that lie beyond it, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said.

The commander of the IRGC's navy issued that assessment after concluding the final stage of a Persian Gulf missile drill, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Tuesday.

In the drill, the navy fired four missiles at a mock sea target, sinking it in 50 seconds, said Rear Adm. Ali Fadavi.

Iran started mass production of its Persian Gulf anti-ship missile, designed to destroy targets at sea, in early 2011. The supersonic projectile, which carries a 1,400-pound warhead, is immune to interception and features high-precision systems, Fars said.

Last week the Revolutionary Guard displayed the country's air defense shield.

"The system has been built in a bid to confront U.S. aircraft and can hit targets 31 miles in distance and 75,000 feet in altitude," said Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force.