Iran Fires Missiles Marked With 'Israel Must Be Wiped Out'

Iran test-launched two ballistic missiles Wednesday emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew in a show of power as Joe Biden visited Jerusalem, the AP reports. The new missile firings were the latest in a series of tests in recent days, aimed at demonstrating that Iran will push ahead with its ballistic program after scaling backing its nuclear program under the deal reached last year with the US and other world powers. The tests prompted Biden to issue a strong warning over any possible violation of the nuclear deal. The firings, however, don't violate the accord. The landmark deal, which led to Iran dramatically scaling back its nuclear program, does not include provisions against missile launches.

Iran state TV trumpeted Wednesday's test as officials boasted that it demonstrated the country's might against longtime nemesis Israel. Video aired on state TV showed the golden-hued Qadr H missiles being fired from a crevice between brown peaks identified as being in Iran's eastern Alborz mountain range. The rockets hit targets some 870 miles away off Iran's coast. The head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division was quoted as saying the test was aimed at showing Israel that Iran could hit it. Israel is within 660 miles of Iranian territory. He stressed that Iran would not fire the missiles in anger or start a war with Israel. The launches seemed timed to coincide with Biden's stop in Israel on his Mideast tour. (More Iran stories.)