Iran claims world's fastest cruise missile

TEHRAN, April 18 (UPI) -- Iran has successfully tested some missiles, including the world's fastest cruise missile, the defense minister said Monday.

At Army Day ceremonies in Tehran, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi told the official Fars News Agency: "We have recently test-fired Shahin and Shalamcheh air defense missiles successfully and these missiles are now stationed in our air defense units."

He said the Zafar, also tested, is "the fastest cruise missile in the world."

At a parade past Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's tomb, the military displayed a new generation of Zolfaqar tanks, a new cannon that fires 6,000 bullets a minute and new artillery, the news agency said.

The military said the Shahin missiles were tested Sunday as part of the Mersad mid-altitude air defense system.

In January, Iran said it tested an air-defense system to defend its nuclear facilities.