(AP) - (Stations: Please substitute the following for V3016, slugged Candidates-Iran-Missiles, which moved at 8:39 a.m. Eastern time. The new version CORRECTS Baghdad to Tehran in first sentence.)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says that Iran's missile tests highlight the need for tougher threats of economic sanctions as well as strong incentives to persuade Tehran to change its behavior.

Iran's state-run television reported Wednesday that the government had tested nine long- and medium-range missiles.

Appearing on NBC's "Today" show, Obama said the U.S. needed to pursue the kind of aggressive diplomacy that he said has been absent under the Bush administration.

Obama added that, in his words, "If we don't, then we're going to continue to see rising tensions that could lead into real problems."

Obama said he continued to favor an incentive package that is aimed at getting Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions.