Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on Wednesday the Islamic Republic has successfully test-fired a new generation surface-to-surface missile.

Najjar said the new missile, named Sajil, was a high-speed type produced at the Defense Ministry affiliated aerospace group, according to state television

He added that Sajil had a range of about 1,200 miles (2,000 km),which is similar to that of Iran's Shahab-3 missile.

State television showed the missile being fired from a platform in a desert and soaring into the sky with a long white vapour trail, adding that the test was conducted on Wednesday morning

Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency said the new missile burns combined solid fuel, which makes it more accurate than liquid fuel missiles.

"The two-stage missile uses combined solid fuel and has a high launching speed," IRNA quoted Najjar as saying.

He said that Sajil was manufactured in line with "Iran's detente policy" and only for defensive purposes in order to strengthen peace and stability in the region.

Sajil also shows Iran's capability to defend its territory, he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran's Air Force chief Brigadier General Ahmad Miqani revealed that his force has built up a "solid barrier" to defend the country's airspace, according to Press TV.

"The air force has built up a solid barrier against any kind of strike, using up-to-date equipment as well as unique military tactics," Miqani was quoted as saying.

Iran has test-fired its Shahab-3 missile capable of hitting targets within a range of 2,000 km, vowing that its missile capabilities are "a defensive tool against invasions."

The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2008)