Iran Launches Home-Grown Satellite
Iran says it has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the launch had been successful and that with it Iran had “officially achieved a presence in space”.
The satellite, carried on a Safir-2 rocket, was meant for telecommunication and research purposes, state TV said.
A US state department official said the launch was of “great concern” and could lead to ballistic missile development. Iran insists its intent is peaceful.
France has also expressed concern, saying the technology used was “very similar” to that used in ballistic missiles.
Iran is subject to United Nations sanctions because some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb.
Tehran denies that claim and says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy.
Officials from six world powers – the US, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany – are due to meet in Germany on Wednesday to discuss the nuclear stand-off.
The launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, says the BBC’s Jon Leyne in Tehran.
Mr Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread “monotheism, peace and justice” in the world.
But the launch could cause alarm in the West because of fears the technology could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says.
Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds.
Source: BBC News
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