Iran ? Iran tested its longest-range solid-fuel missile Wednesday — a launch that displayed Tehran’s reach and burnished the president’s hardline reputation ahead of next month’s election.

The missile was said to be capable of striking Israel, U.S. Mideast bases and Europe.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed the test, which was announced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The launch raised concerns about the sophistication of Tehran’s missile program and Pentagon officials cautioned that it leaves Iran at a crossroads.

“They can either continue on this path of continued destabilization in the region or they can decide that they want to pursue relationships with the countries in the region and the United States that are more normalized,” said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman.