WSJ:
Iran recently test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official said Thursday, a move that threatens to further escalate tensions between the Trump administration and Tehran.
Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s air forces, said the Hormuz 2 naval ballistic missile soared for about 155 miles before successfully hitting a floating target, according to the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.
The IRGC is a force tasked with safeguarding Iran’s Islamic system. It operates independently of the country’s regular armed forces.
The test took place “in recent days,” according to Tasnim’s report. It wasn’t clear where the missile was fired or what body of water it struck.
The Hormuz 2 can strike floating vessels at a range of around 186 miles, the report said.
A separate medium-range missile test Jan. 29 prompted President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions on people and companies connected to Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
The sanctions, accompanied by his assertion Feb. 2 that Iran was “on notice” for firing the missile, amounted to the new administration’s first significant move to contain Iran.
Historically tense relations between Washington and Tehran have increased under Mr. Trump, who this week included Iran among six Muslim-majority countries barred from obtaining U.S. visas under a revised executive order. The administration says the move is needed to keep terrorists out of the U.S.
U.S. and Israeli officials have called earlier ballistic-missile tests violations of Iran’s international agreements, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed Iran’s landmark 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers including the U.S.
That resolution “called upon” Iran not to conduct activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Iran has said its tests are legal, as the missiles are defensive and aren’t designed to carry nuclear warheads….
