TEHRAN , Iran ( CNN ) -- Iran announced Wednesday that it successfully tested another `` Sajil '' missile , a surface-to-surface missile with a range that makes it capable of reaching parts of Europe . Image purportedly shows the test launch of Iran 's new Sajil surface-to-surface missile . A similar test was carried out in November . U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he understood Wednesday 's test of the missile , with an approximate range of 1,200 miles , was successful . State media reported that the missile , a Sajil-2 , was launched Wednesday morning from the northern Iranian city of Semnan and reached its target . The report did not say where it landed . The missile was test-fired successfully , Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a group of residents in Semnan province , state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported . Ahmadinejad said the missile `` met the predetermined target , '' according to the news agency . Gates said he could not confirm that it had hit the intended target . A White House official said the test is noteworthy . `` I think it is a significant technical development , '' said Gary Samore , special assistant to the president on nonproliferation , in a Washington speech Wednesday . `` Of course , this is just a test , and obviously there is much work to be done before it can be built and deployed . But I see it as a significant step forward in terms of Iran 's capacity to deliver weapons , '' Samore said . `` And I think it actually helps us in terms of making a case to countries like Russia , which were skeptical in the past whether Iran actually poses a threat . This is a very clear demonstration that Iran is moving in the direction of longer-range missiles . '' An Israeli official , meanwhile , said the test should be more of a concern to Europe than to Israel , since previous missiles tested by Iran could already reach the Jewish state . `` If anyone had any doubt , it is now clear that the Iranians are playing with fire , '' Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Wednesday in an interview on Kol Israel Radio . `` We know that the Iranians are developing capabilities of thousands of kilometers , that could reach the coasts of the United States . '' `` The Iranian clock is ticking fast and it must be stopped , '' Ayalon said . White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama `` expressed ... his great concern , his continued concern , about Iran 's pursuit of nuclear weapons capability and nuclear weapons technology . '' The Sajil is a new generation of surface-to-surface Iranian-made missiles that `` demonstrates a significant leap in Iran 's missile capabilities , '' Uzi Rubin , the former director of Israel 's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization , told Jane 's Information Group after the November test . `` Regardless of the success of the test , this missile places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles , which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities , '' he said . Sajil missiles are powered by solid fuel , which uses smaller containers and helps the rockets travel longer distances , President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the semiofficial Fars News Agency . Iran says the missiles have a range of almost 2,000 kilometers ( 1,243 miles ) . If that is true , the missile brings Moscow , Russia , Athens , Greece , and southern Italy within striking distance from Iran , according to Jane 's , which provides information on defense issues . Gates said the missile was probably `` on the low end of that range . '' After the November launch , the United States restated its objection to such tests , saying they violate Iran 's obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions . U.S. officials have cast doubt on the success of past missile test launches by Iran , including a rocket launch in August and a series of missile tests in July . Wednesday 's reported test comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. officials in Washington to discuss how to deal with the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran . He met Tuesday with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner . Obama , who met with Netanyahu on Monday , stuck by his refusal to commit to an `` artificial deadline '' for Iranian negotiations on its nuclear program . But he also warned that he would not allow such talks , which he expects to accelerate after the Iranian presidential election in June , to be used as an excuse for delay . He said the United States is not `` foreclosing a range of steps , including much stronger international sanctions , in assuring that Iran understands that we are serious . '' Netanyahu wanted a time limit for negotiations relating to such ambitions , with the threat of military action if no resolution is reached . Asked if the missile launch will dampen Obama 's efforts to reach out diplomatically to Iran , Gibbs said , `` The president and the prime minister [ Netanyahu ] both agreed on Monday that engaging the people and the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran , something that has n't been tried for the past many years , is something that makes sense . '' Both Israel and the United States believe that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program ; Tehran denies the accusation . Israeli leaders have pointed to Ahmadinejad 's calls for the end of Israel as a Jewish state , and argue that quick action is needed . Netanyahu called Iran the biggest threat to peace in the region . `` If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons , it could give a nuclear umbrella to terrorists , or worse , could actually give [ them ] nuclear weapons . And that would put us all in great peril , '' he said . Obama is considered to have a more conciliatory approach to the Arab and Muslim world than Netanyahu . CNN 's Shirzad Bozorgmehr , Pam Benson , Charley Keyes and Barbara Starr contributed to this report .
Iran says it fired a Sajil missile , which uses solid fuel and travels long distances . Missiles have range that can reach Russia , Greece and southern Italy , Iran says . Comment: Iran looking to increase sophistication of its missile program . Israel : `` It is now clear that the Iranians are playing with fire ''