Official: Israel Test Fires Rocket-propulsion System

Israel on Wednesday successfully tested a rocket-propulsion system from a military base in the center of the country, a defense ministry official said.

"This test firing of the rocket-propulsion system had been planned by the defense establishment a long time ago and was carried out as scheduled," the official told Agence France Presse.

Public radio reported the test was carried out at the Palmachim military base south of Tel Aviv.

Citing foreign military experts, the radio said the system is capable of firing ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

The test came as speculation in Israel grew over the potential for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, with Haaretz newspaper reporting Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking cabinet support for such an operation.