MOSCOW: The confrontation between Iran and the United States seemed to sharpen on Thursday as Iran said it tested missiles for a second day and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States would defend its allies and protect its interests against an attack.
Rice was speaking in the former Soviet republic of Georgia at the end of a three-day tour of Eastern Europe. Shortly after she spoke, state-run media in Iran began reporting the new missile tests, which it said included a relatively new torpedo.
Iranian state television showed a missile blasting off in darkness. The television reports said the new tests took place during Wednesday night and into Thursday. A commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guards had said earlier that night missile maneuvers would take place but did not give details.
"Deep in the Persian Gulf waters, the launch of different types of ground-to-sea, surface-to-surface, sea-to-air and the powerful launch of the Hoot missile successfully took place," Iranian state radio said, referring to the torpedo whose name means whale in Iranian. The latest tests came a day after Iran said it test-fired nine missiles, including one that Tehran said had the range to strike Israel.
At a news conference in Georgia with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Rice said, "We will defend our interests and defend our allies."
esitate to act when its vital security interests are at stake". 
