Report: Iranian missiles reach Syrian battlefield

Forces loyal to embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad are now using Iranian-supplied missiles in the ongoing civil war against rebel forces in the country.

At least two Iranian Fateh A-110 missiles were launched against anti-government forces, U.S. officials told CNN on Friday.

The Fateh is reportedly more accurate than the older Scud variants that Assad's troops have used against the rebels in recent weeks.

DOD sharply rebuked Syria's willingness to use its arsenal of Scud missiles, and now the Fateh, against the rebels.

Some inside the Pentagon fear the launches could open the door to the use of chemical weapons, since the Scud can be outfitted with chemical warheads.

Tehran has also begun outfitting its fleet of warships with the long-range missile, spurring concern among Navy commanders in the Gulf region.

American officials told CNN the missile launches were not aimed at rebel strongholds located along the Turkish-Syrian border. Concerns in Ankara over Syrian missile capabilities prompted Turkey to request several batteries of U.S.-built Patriot anti-missile weapons from NATO.

The alliance approves the Patriot deployment in November. The weapons are scheduled to be in place along the Turkish border by January.

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