Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced Tuesday that his nation's military has built a second missile capable of reaching Israel.
"The Ashoura, with the range of 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) is among the accomplishments of the Defense Ministry," Najjar told a group of Islamic religious militiamen holding maneuvers this week.
Najjar also announced delivery of a new domestically-produced submarine to the Iranian navy expected on Wednesday, according to the Fars News Agency.
The Iranian defense minister did not explain how the Ashoura missile differs from the Shabab-3, the existing Iranian long-range missile.
Former Iranian Nuclear Negotiator Suspected of Spying
Former Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian was cleared in an Islamic Republic courtroom Tuesday on charges of spying. Mousavian was charged earlier this month of passing classified information to the British Embassy and other foreign officials.
The former nuclear negotiator was convicted of a lesser charge "acting against the Islamic government," said an Iranian judiciary spokesman.
Mousavian was accused by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of being a "traitor" and a "spy."
Confronting Syria on Decision to Attend Annapolis Summit
Syrian officials found themselves facing the outrage of the Iranian ambassador to Syria as well as Hamas politburo head and chief terrorist Khaled Mashaal Tuesday at the country's decision to attend the Annapolis summit, according to IDF Radio.
The Iranian-backed Hizbullah terrorist organization in Lebanon was equally miffed by the decision, according to the report.
Foreign Minister Walid Muallem met in Damascus with Mashaal and Mohammad-Hassan Akhtari in an attempt to justify Syria's participation in the conference.
Muallem allegedly explained that Syria's top priority was finding a way to retrieve the Golan Heights, which was liberated by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.