Iran test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile yesterday which Western analysts believe is capable of hitting targets in Israel, as well as southern Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Ahmadinejad told the cheering crowd that he had been informed by the country's Defense Minister of the launch. He described the test as successful, and said the new missile, Sejil 2, contains "advanced technology," "precision guidance," and that it is able to exit the atmosphere before reentering to strike "precisely on target." Meanwhile, a joint U.S.-Russian report by the EastWest Institute said yesterday that Iran may be one to three years away from developing a nuclear weapon, and commented on Tehran's significant advance in ballistic missile technology. The report said Iran is six to eight years away from developing a ballistic missile capable of carrying a 900 kilogram nuclear warhead.