Iran test-fired nine missiles on Wednesday and warned the United States and Israel it was ready to retaliate for any attack over its disputed nuclear projects. Washington, which says Iran seeks atomic bombs, told Tehran to halt further tests. Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, says its nuclear program is only for electricity. Iran's missile tests rattled oil markets, helping crude prices to rebound about $2 a barrel after recent falls. Speculation that Israel could bomb Iran has mounted since a big Israeli air drill last month. US leaders have not ruled out military options if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row. But the United States gave no hint to leaders of a group of eight rich nations meeting in Japan this week that it planned to attack Iran, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said. “No mention of a military option (was made) by the United States,” he said in Toyako, Japan. Revolutionary Guards air force commander Hossein Salami said in televised comments that thousands of missiles were ready to be fired at “pre-determined targets”. Missiles were shown soaring from desert launchpads, leaving long vapour trails. “We warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch,” he said, according to ISNA news agency. The White House told Iran to “refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world”. US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for harsher measures against Tehran after the tests. “Iran is a great threat. We have to make sure we are working with our allies to apply tightened pressure on Iran,” he declared. His Republican opponent John McCain voiced support for a US missile shield as a defense against Iranian missiles. The tests “demonstrate the need for effective missile defence now and in the future, and this includes missile defense in Europe,” McCain said in a statement.
