Iran fires missile, tests US

Strains Obama's goal of diplomacy

WASHINGTON - Iran test-fired a medium-range missile yesterday, ratcheting up the pressure on President Obama, who has staked his reputation on the idea that talks with the Iranian government will produce better results than military threats.

Some analysts saw the timing of the launch of the Sejil 2 missile - a more accurate, solid-fuel version of an existing missile that is capable of reaching Israel, US bases in the Mideast, and parts of Europe - as more worrisome than the technology on display.

"Certainly the timing is significant and conveys a message of defiance," said Steven Aftergood, senior research analyst at the Federation of American Scientists. "It's a bit early to say whether the launch reflects a significant technological advance or not."

In recent months, the Obama administration has made several historic overtures to Iran in hopes that diplomacy will persuade Iran to stop producing enriched uranium, fuel that Iran says is for peaceful, civilian uses but that the United States fears is for a nuclear weapon.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/05/21/iran_fires_missile_tests_us/