The Iranian army has taken delivery of a new "strategic missile", Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani was reported to have said yesterday. The missile, unnamed for security reasons, was successfully tested last week, Shamkhani was quoted as saying by state television. It was unclear if the weapon in question was the Shahab-3 medium-range missile, acquired by the Revolutionary Guards in July last year, of which an improved version was successfully tested in August. The Shahab-3 is based on a North Korean design and is thought to be capable of carrying a one-tone warhead at least 1,300km, well within range of Israel. Steady progress made by Iran's ballistic missile programme is a source of concern to the international community, adding to worries about the country's nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is peaceful. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Iran's Shahab-3 surface-to-surface missile is seen displayed in Tehran during a military parade. (AFP)