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NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Iran announced the successful launch of three satellites into space using the Simorgh rocket, despite the program’s history of multiple failures. The launch took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province and marked the sixth attempt for the Simorgh program.
The named satellites – Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1 – serve various purposes, including research, global positioning, and communication. Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister, Isa Zarepour, reported that the Mahda satellite had already transmitted signals back to Earth.
The Simorgh program has faced setbacks in recent years, with previous launch failures drawing attention, including from former US President Donald Trump. The latest launch featured a rocket bearing the slogan “We Can” in Farsi, likely referencing the prior challenges.
While Iran describes the Simorgh as a satellite carrier designed for low Earth orbit, concerns arise from the US intelligence community. The 2023 worldwide threat assessment suggests that Iran’s satellite launch vehicles could potentially shorten the timeline for developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, as the technologies overlap.
Despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for restraint, Iran’s pursuit of satellite launches continues. The US has previously condemned such activities, citing concerns over ballistic missile technologies capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expired in October 2023.
The recent satellite launch comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza raising concerns of a regional conflict. While Iran has not directly intervened militarily, it faces internal pressure for action following an Islamic State suicide bombing and proxy group activities linked to regional conflicts.
The trajectory of Iran’s space program has shifted under President Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in 2021. As Iran’s nuclear program advances, concerns from Western nations persist, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom jointly condemned Iran’s satellite launch on January 20, echoing worries about the potential dual-use nature of the Simorgh rocket. The statement expressed ongoing concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile technologies and its nuclear escalation.
While the US military and the State Department have not yet responded to the recent launch, the international community closely watches Iran’s space program, considering its broader implications on regional stability and security.
The named satellites – Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1 – serve various purposes, including research, global positioning, and communication. Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister, Isa Zarepour, reported that the Mahda satellite had already transmitted signals back to Earth.
The Simorgh program has faced setbacks in recent years, with previous launch failures drawing attention, including from former US President Donald Trump. The latest launch featured a rocket bearing the slogan “We Can” in Farsi, likely referencing the prior challenges.
While Iran describes the Simorgh as a satellite carrier designed for low Earth orbit, concerns arise from the US intelligence community. The 2023 worldwide threat assessment suggests that Iran’s satellite launch vehicles could potentially shorten the timeline for developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, as the technologies overlap.
Despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for restraint, Iran’s pursuit of satellite launches continues. The US has previously condemned such activities, citing concerns over ballistic missile technologies capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expired in October 2023.
The recent satellite launch comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza raising concerns of a regional conflict. While Iran has not directly intervened militarily, it faces internal pressure for action following an Islamic State suicide bombing and proxy group activities linked to regional conflicts.
The trajectory of Iran’s space program has shifted under President Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in 2021. As Iran’s nuclear program advances, concerns from Western nations persist, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom jointly condemned Iran’s satellite launch on January 20, echoing worries about the potential dual-use nature of the Simorgh rocket. The statement expressed ongoing concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile technologies and its nuclear escalation.
While the US military and the State Department have not yet responded to the recent launch, the international community closely watches Iran’s space program, considering its broader implications on regional stability and security.
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