Iranian forces launched the Shahab-3 ballistic missile as they began 10 days of war games that coincide with US-led efforts to impose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. "I think they’re trying to demonstrate that they’re tough," Rice said of the missile test.
"But the Iranians also I think are not unaware that the security environment is one in which if they actually were to do something, Iran would suffer greatly and so I think they probably understand that," she said in a radio interview.
Referring to Iran’s refusal to comply with a UN Security Council resolution demanding it abandon suspect nuclear activities, Rice said: "I think the Iranians are a threat and that’s why the international community’s got to be strong in resisting their ambitions."
She said Thursday’s missile test was Iran’s way of telling the world "you’re not going to keep us from getting a nuclear weapon".
"The world has to say to them, yes, we will," she said.
Rice was speaking amid ongoing negotiations between the US and its big power partners over a package of sanctions designed to force Iran to give up its uranium enrichment program.
Iran insists the program is aimed at providing fuel for nuclear power plants while Washington and others suspect the ultimate aim is to develop atomic weapons.