TEHERAN: Iran test-fired missiles yesterday to show it was prepared to head off any military threat, four days before the Islamic Republic is due to hold rare talks with world powers worried about its nuclear ambitions.

State radio also said the Revolutionary Guards would today test-fire the Shahab 3 missile, which Iranian officials say has a range of around 2,000 km, potentially putting Israel and US bases in the Gulf within reach.

The missile manoeuvres coincide with escalating tension in Iran's nuclear row with the West, after last week's disclosure by Teheran that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant.