Iran test fires Qiam missile: minister

The television images showed the sand coloured Qiam Rising blasting into the air from a desert terrain,amid chants of 8220;Allahu Akbar8221; God is greatest.

The words 8220;Ya Mahdi8221; were written on the side of the missile,referring to Imam Mahdi,one of the 12 imams of Shiite Islam,who disappeared as a boy and whom the faithful believe will return one day to bring redemption to mankind.

Vahidi,who was speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran,did not say when the launch took place nor did he reveal the precise range of the missile.

8220;The missile has new technical aspects and has a unique tactical capacity,8221; he said on state television,adding that the device was of a 8220;new class.8221;

8220;Since the surface-to-surface missile has no wings,it has lot of tactical power,which also reduces the chances of it being intercepted,8221; he said.

On Tuesday,Vahidi had said that Qiam was to be test fired during the annual government week,the period when Tehran touts its achievements in various fields. This year government week begins on Monday.

The third generation Fateh 110 Conqueror missile was also to be test fired during this period. Iran has previously paraded a version of Fateh 110 which has a travel range of 150 to 200 kilometres.