DHAKA: Iran paraded 30 missiles with a nominal range of 2,000km on Sunday, the first time it had displayed so many with the theoretical capacity to hit Israeli targets.

Iran displayed 12 Sejil and 18 Ghadr missiles at the annual parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

The stated range of both missiles would put not only Israel but also US bases in the Gulf within reach.

But in his speech at the parade, president Hassan Rohani insisted the weaponry on show was for defensive purposes only, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1813 HRS, SEPT 22, 2013
RoR/RK