ESCALATION

Iran Claims to Fire New Missile

And produce first nuclear fuel rod.

An Iranian news agency claims that the nation has fired a new medium-range missile designed to avoid radar detection in the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway that the regime is threatening to block off in the face of increasing sanctions from the West. The ground-to-air missile was fired during naval exercises, Irna reported, and was equipped with new technology. In another feat reported on Sunday, Iran said it had produced its first nuclear fuel rod, a key step in achieving the ability to master the ability to produce nuclear fuel. A November reported from the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran has been developing nuclear weapons since at least 2003.