DUBAI: Iran successfully tested a new precision-guided ballistic missile, Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan was quoted as saying on Sunday, signalling an apparent advance in Tehran's attempts to improve the accuracy of its missile battery.

"The Emad missile is able to strike targets with a high level of precision and completely destroy them," state news agency IRNA quoted Dehghan as saying.

Anthony Cordesman, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote in January that the Emad would have a range of 1,700 kilometres, 500 metres accuracy and a 750 kilogram payload.

It is a variant of the liquid-fuelled Shahab-3 missile, in service since 2003, which has a similar range but is accurate only to within 2,000 metres.

"The Emad represents a major leap in terms of accuracy. It has an advanced guidance and control system in its nose cone," Israeli missile expert Uzi Rubin said.

Dehghan said the new weapon would be deployed to missile units in the "near future".

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