Iran announced on Friday a successful space launch, continuing its program that Western nations claim enhances Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
The launch used the Simorgh programme, a satellite-carrying rocket with previous unsuccessful attempts. The operation took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province’s rural area.
Independent verification of the launch’s success remains pending.
This development occurs amidst escalating regional tensions, with ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, whilst a fragile ceasefire holds in Lebanon.
The US has previously said that Iran’s satellite launches violate UN security council resolutions, cautioning against activities involving nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. However, UN sanctions concerning Iran’s missile programme expired in October 2023.
During former president Hassan Rouhani‘s moderate leadership, Iran reduced its space activities to avoid Western tensions. However, the programme accelerated under current President Ebrahim Raisi, a follower of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who assumed office in 2021.
Reformist president Masoud Pezeshkian, who seeks Western negotiations regarding sanctions, has not yet clarified his position on Iran’s space aspirations.
ICBMs can deliver nuclear payloads. Following the dissolution of its nuclear agreement with global powers, Iran now produces near weapons-grade uranium. The IAEA chief has repeatedly warned that Iran possesses sufficient enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons.
Iran consistently denies nuclear weapons ambitions, maintaining its space and nuclear programmes serve civilian purposes only. However, US intelligence and IAEA reports indicate Iran maintained an organised military nuclear programme until 2003.
#Iran #conducts #successful #space #launch #program #long #criticised #West #Times #India
