The White House said on Wednesday that Iran's test of an upgraded missile undermines its insistence of peaceful intentions and will be looked upon seriously by the world.
Iranian armed forces launched the high-speed surface-to-surface Sajjil-2 missile today
a high-speed, surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 1,200 miles.
That range places Israel well within reach and increases the threat against south-eastern Europe.
That range places Israel well within reach and increases the threat against south-eastern Europe.
The launch will increase tensions between Gordon Brown, pictured here being interviewed today, and Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his country's military and nuclear intentions
The White House said on Wednesday that Iran's test of an upgraded missile undermines its insistence of peaceful intentions and will be looked upon seriously by the world.
"At a time when the international community has offered Iran opportunities to begin to build trust and confidence, Iran's missile tests only undermine Iran's claims of peaceful intentions," White House spokesman Mike Hammer said.
"Such actions will increase the seriousness and resolve of the international community to hold Iran accountable for its continued defiance of its international obligations on its nuclear program," he said.
Gordon Brown today called for fresh sanctions against Iran after it successfully tested a missile capable of striking Israel.
The Prime Minister described the testing of the Sajjil-2 missile as a 'provocative act' which raised fresh concerns about Tehran's intentions.
A senior British official said the missile test suggested progress on persuading Iran to pursue peace was 'going backwards'.
t will also fuel fears about Iran's nuclear programme, with the new missile suggesting any nuclear warhead could potentially be launched against Israel.
Mr Brown discussed the development when he met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at climate change talks in Copenhagen.
He said afterwards: 'I have expressed to him and he has also expressed concern about the test of a long-range missile by Iran.
'This is a matter of serious concern to the international community and it does make the case for us moving further on sanctions.
'We will treat this with the seriousness it deserves.'
The warning followed an announcement from Iran that it had successfully tested its Sajjil-2 missile, a high-speed, surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 1,200 miles.
That range places Israel well within reach and increases the threat against south-eastern Europe.
Iran has intensified its missile development program in recent years to the anger of Israel and the West. Tehran is also suspected of trying to build a nuclear weapon.
EU leaders agreed last week to pursue a 'dual track' approach towards Iran, offering negotiations that would allow it to pursue a civilian nuclear programme while also beginning work on possible
Mr Brown's words suggest he will push for a tough new sanctions package against Iran when the UK, France, Germany, the US, China and Russia meet in the new year to discuss Iran.
A British official said: 'It is extremely concerning that we have had no positive response from Iran to the offer of negotiations. It is not a question of a lack of pregress, we are going backwards.'
The EU already has a package of sanctions covering arms sales to Iran and certain industrial sector.
But British officials suggested this could be increased dramatically to include oil, gas and financial services.
Iran has repeatedly shrugged off the impact of such punitive measures, that include three rounds of limited U.N. sanctions since 2006.
In September, Iran test-fired missiles which a commander said could reach any regional target. The White House branded those tests 'provocative'.
Washington suspects Iran is trying to develop nuclear bomb capability and has previously expressed concern about Tehran's missile programme. Iran says its nuclear work is solely for generating peaceful electricity.
Earlier this week, diplomats said intelligence suggested that Iran worked on testing a key atomic bomb component as recently as 2007, a finding which if proven would clash with Iran's assertion its nuclear work is for civilian use.
Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected the claim as 'baseless'.
On Tuesday, Israeli military intelligence chief Major-General Amos Yadlin said: 'Iran is striving to improve it surface-to-surface missile capability. It is developing missiles propelled by solid fuel and is expanding their range to other continents.'
The United States and five other major powers said on Tuesday that a planned meeting on Iran's nuclear programme will not take place this year because of scheduling conflicts, although consultations will continue by telephone.
In October, negotiators offered a deal under which Iran would send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further enrichment. However, Tehran has backed away from it, raising the prospect of additional sanctions.
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