JERUSALEM, Israel -- New video obtained by an Israeli news organization provides incriminating evidence of Iran's nuclear weapon ambitions. It also indicates the country is pursuing an aggressive long-range missile program with worldwide implications.
The footage taken from satellite images by Israel's Eros-B satellite reveals a 27-meter, or nearly 90-foot missile.
This never-before-seen missile and launch site stand outside Tehran appear capable of sending a rocket into space or being used as an ICBM to launch an attack on a long-range target.
Some reports indicate the Pentagon estimates it may have been two years in development.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Dore Gold told CBN News Iran is developing ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) that can reach the eastern seaboard of the United States.
"Originally many in the U.S. think of Iran, as well you know -- that's a problem for Saudi Arabia or Israel, but it's not our problem. That's not true," Gold said. "The trend in Iranian planning for long-range missiles that can eventually reach the eastern seaboard of the United States -- that's a given now."
Gold said the Iranian nuclear and missile threat prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept U.S. House Speaker John Boehner's invitation to address a joint session of Congress in early March. Despite potential political fallout, Netanyahu will use the platform to warn America and the world of the growing danger.
Yet the White House and Congress differ on how to respond to the Iranian threat. The administration wants to negotiate, while congressional leaders from both parties prefer any negotiations to include the threat of sanctions.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., recently made a startling comment at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iran.
"The more I hear from the administration and its quotes, the more it sounds like talking points that come straight out of Tehran," the Democratic lawmaker said.
Republican Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told Jerusalem news agencies he can't understand why the president promises to veto upcoming congressional legislation about Iran even before it's been written.
"For Congress not to have the ability to weigh in on this, which has such geo-political importance and where Congress has played such an important role, is ridiculous and candidly irresponsible for Congress not to play a role," Corker said.
The United States and five other nations negotiating with Iran on its nuclear program have set a June 30 deadline for reaching a final settlement.
Some leaders on both sides of the Atlantic believe the expanding nuclear and missile program represents Iran's ultimate goals of attacking what it calls "the little Satan" (Israel) and "the great Satan" (the United States).
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