Iran said on Saturday it had successfully conducted tests on a new surface-to-surface missile in a bid to bolster defense capabilities. "I can assure you this is one of the most precise missiles in the world as far as targeting is concerned," Ahmad Vahid, head of Iran's state Aeronautics Organization, was quoted by state television as saying.

Vahid did not elaborate about the capability or range of the missile named "Fateh A-110" or where it was tested.

President Bush has labeled Iran part of an "axis of evil" accusing it of seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction and sponsoring "terrorism."

Iran says its weapons manufacturing program is strictly conventional and meant for deterrence.

"Iran, one of the biggest targets of missile attacks in the recent three decades, is to only use the new missile as a means to increase its preventive power against probable threats and crisis," Vahid was quoted as saying.

Iran has developed missiles of various ranges, tanks and jet fighters through help from such countries as Russia, China and North Korea.

The United States has urged countries such as Russia and China to stop arms cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

But Tehran and Moscow insist Iran's atomic program is for civilian use. Iran also denies it seeks weapons of mass destruction.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iran has successfully test fired a ballistic missile potentially capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.