US Must Develop New Strategy to Combat Iran’s ‘Malign Influence’ - McCain

President Barack Obama must end diplomatic overtures to Iran and develop a new strategy to counter Tehran’s influence in the region, US Senator John McCain said in a statement on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — McCain’s statement comes amid media reports that Iran has conducted a medium-range ballistic missile test.

"It is long past time for the Obama administration to disenthrall itself with the dangerous illusion of a new relationship with Iran and adopt a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's malign influence and protect America’s national security interests," McCain stated.

Some Iranian media reports indicate the test was carried out two weeks ago. However, Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan has refuted the reports, saying no such test was carried out.

Earlier on Friday, the White House and the departments of State and Defense all said they had not been able to verify reports that Iran had conducted a test.

If confirmed, the ballistic missile test would be Tehran’s third since January.