FIRE AND FURY

Iran Confirms Ballistic Missile Launch That Angered U.S.

Pompeo hit out at the test this month.

Iran has confirmed a recent ballistic-missile test launch that was condemned by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “We will continue our missile tests and this recent action was an important test,” Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards’ airspace division, said while announcing the launch, as quoted by the Fars news agency. He added: “The reaction of the Americans shows that this test was very important for them and that’s why they were shouting.” Pompeo said this month that Iran had test-fired “a medium-range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple warheads,” adding that it could hit all of the Middle East and parts of Europe. The U.S. pointed to the missile test to urge European countries to follow its lead in restoring tough sanctions. Under the 2015 nuclear accord, which Trump withdrew the U.S. from, Iran was urged to end its testing of ballistic missiles—but the agreement doesn’t forbid the tests.