The longe-range Emad missile. Photo: Wikipedia.

Iranian military officials say they are deploying a sophisticated new guidance system for ballistic missiles with a range of more than 1,000 miles.

The Emad missile system is in the hands of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Hossein Salami said in a state-controlled Fars News report. It may be used in pending war games, Salami said.

Tests on the Emad missiles in October may have violated United Nations Security Council resolutions. The system is touted for its precision, and is described as “steerable” until just before impact. While they are intended primarily for conventional warheads, the missiles can carry nuclear warheads.

Despite that, Iranian officials say the system is defensive in nature.

“We don’t ask for anyone’s permission for boosting our defense and missile power,” Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said in October.

Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed to destroy Israel, and the Emad’s range places Jerusalem and Tel Aviv within range. Iran also has helped Hezbollah amass an arsenal of as many as 150,000 missiles in preparation for a future war with Israel.

The Obama administration’s response to the Iranian missile tests has been muted.

America’s UN Ambassador said the United States was “deeply concerned” after the October missile test.

The State Department was “considering the appropriate consequences to that launch,” Stephen Mull, the official in charge of implementing the nuclear agreement with Iran, told a Senate hearing on December 17.

Steven Emerson is the Executive Director the Investigative Project on Terrorism (www.investigativeproject.org) where this article first appeared.