Iran test-fires more missiles

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran that Washington will not back down in the face of threats against Israel.

8220;We are sending a message to Iran that we will defend American interests and the interests of our allies,8221; Rice said in Georgia.

Among the missiles Iran said it tested on Wednesday was a new version of the Shahab-3, which officials have said has a range of 2,000 km and is armed with a 1-tonne conventional warhead.

That would put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan all within striking distance. Wednesday8217;s missile tests were conducted at the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about 40 per cent of the world8217;s oil passes. Iran has threatened to shut down traffic in the strait if attacked.