Washington/Toyako - The United States condemned Iran's long- range missile tests on Wednesday, saying they were "completely inconsistent" with its international obligations and further isolated the Islamic country.

"The Iranian regime only furthers the isolation of the Iranian people from the international community when it engages in this sort of activity," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement on the sidelines of the Group of Eight nations summit in Japan.

"Iran's development of ballistic missiles is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world," Johndroe said.

Iran ratcheted up tensions in the region earlier Wednesday, launching nine long-range missiles capable of striking Israel and US military forces in the Gulf, state media reported, as a warning to "enemies" that would threaten Tehran.

"I call on the enemy to be careful with their policies as we are watching them wherever they are," said General Hossein Salami, commander of the air wing of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.

The tests come as the United States is working to resolve differences over a possible missile defence system in Eastern Europe, which is primarily designed to counter a possible Iranian threat.

The US and its allies in the UN Security Council have also offered a "package of incentives" to Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, which could potentially lead to the development of a nuclear weapon, Johndroe said.

"They should also refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world," Johndroe said. (dpa)