International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 17 Jan 2008

Reacting to an IDF test launch of a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "They [Israelis] don't have the courage to attack Iran."

"The Iranian response would make them regret it and they know this very well," Ahmadinejad said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. Referring to the test firing, he insisted the countries in the region were not impressed by "this criminal entity that is trying to show off its weapons in a threatening way."

Ahmadinejad went on to say that that during his recent Mideast trip, US President George W. Bush sent a "message of confrontation demeaning the dignity of mankind." Bush spent much of his visit to the region rallying support among Arab allies for a strong stance against Iran.

According to foreign reports, the ballistics test was believed to be a Jericho III - an upgraded version of an Israeli surface-to-surface missile with a range of over 5,000 kilometers and capable of carrying a 1,000-kilogram warhead, including a nuclear device.

The test firing this morning from the Palmahim Air Force Base in the center of the country was seen by thousands of residents.

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