Iran’s deputy defense minister says the Islamic Republic has successfully test-fired a land-to-sea ballistic missile in the Persian Gulf.

Brigadier General Majid Bokaei said on Tuesday that the Defense Ministry has been able to test-fire the new missile, which has a high target-hitting capability.

The Iranian deputy defense minister added that the missile was a modified model of a surface-to-surface missile.

“This new missile, which has been equipped with a surface-to-surface missile system, exits the atmosphere after being launched, re-enters it at a high speed, and completely destroys the target vessel or warship,” Bokaei stated.

The Iranian commander said all the enemy warships and destroyers retreated away from the vicinity of Iran’s borders after the missile was test-fired.

Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

On January 1, Iranian forces tested the indigenous Nour (Light) surface-to-surface missile during the Velayat 91 naval maneuvers. Iran’s Navy launched the six-day naval drill on December 28, 2012, in order to display the country’s capabilities in defending its maritime borders.

The latest version of the indigenous surface-to-air missile Ra’d (Thunder) was also test-fired on December 31, 2012.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially its neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.