FACTBOX: Reaction to Iran test-firing missiles
(Reuters) - 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.
Here is some international reaction:
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE, IN BULGARIA
"I see it as evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one and that those who say that there is no Iranian threat against which to be building missile defenses, perhaps ought to talk to the Iranians about ... the range of the missiles that they test fired."
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN GORDON JOHNDROE, IN JAPAN AT G8 SUMMIT
Iran should "refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world".
ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANCO FRATTINI, IN THE WEST BANK
"The test clarifies what it is we're talking about. These are very dangerous missiles -- that's why the international community and not just Israel has an interest in blocking this escalation in a definitive way."
GERMAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, TO REPORTERS
"The EU3 plus 3 have worked hard in the last few weeks to present Iran with a new offer ... now we need to establish how serious Iran is about its willingness to negotiate.
"With this (new) offer, the international community has sought to increase cooperation with Iran and to build bridges. it is regrettable that Iran has answered this with a gesture showing ill will."
FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN FREDERIC DESAGNEAUX
"These missile tests can only reinforce the international community's concerns at a time when, in parallel, Iran is developing a nuclear program which the IAEA director general's last report says includes activities that could be linked to the design and production of nuclear weapons."
U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN MCCAIN
The tests "demonstrate the need for effective missile defense now and in the future, and this includes missile defense in Europe as is planned with the Czech Republic and Poland".
U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARACK OMABA
"Iran is a great threat. We have to make sure we are working with our allies to apply tightened pressure on Iran."
