Iran planning second satellite launch

Iran will be ready for a new satellite launch in a few months’ time after a failed attempt this week, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, ignoring U.S. and European warnings to avoid such activity.

Western officials say the missile technology used in such launches could be applied to delivering a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s bid to send a satellite, named Payam, into orbit failed on Tuesday as its launching rocket did not reach adequate speed in its third stage.

Rouhani was quoted by state media as saying, however, that Iran had “achieved great success in building satellites and launching them. That means we are on the right track.

“The remaining problems are minor, will be resolved in a few months, and we will soon be ready for a new launch,” he said.

The United States warned Iran this month against undertaking three planned rocket launches that it said would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution because they use ballistic missile technology.

France’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the abortive launch and urged Iran to cease ballistic missile tests, which Paris sees as of potential use for nuclear arms.

“The Iranian ballistic programme is a source of concern for the international community and France,” ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a statement.

“We call on Iran not to proceed with new ballistic missile tests designed to be able to carry nuclear weapons, including space launchers, and urge Iran to respect its obligations under all U.N. Security Council resolutions,” von der Muhll said.

Iran, which deems its space program a matter of national pride, has said its space vehicle launches and missile tests do not flout a U.N. resolution and will continue.

Under the U.N. resolution enshrining Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, Tehran is “called upon” to refrain from work on ballistic missiles suitable for carrying nuclear weapons.

Some states say this phrasing does not make it an obligatory commitment. Iran has repeatedly said the ballistic missiles it is developing are purely defensive in purpose and not designed to carry nuclear warheads.

The nuclear deal is now at risk after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from it, in part because it did not cover Iran’s ballistic missile program, and reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran.

Source: Reuters

 

The Liberum

Vox Populi, Vox Dei
See full bio >
The Liberum runs on your donation. Fight with us for a free society.
Donation Form (#6)

More articles you might like

The NATO Parade of Parasites

Welcome to The Hague, city of Peace, Justice… and the most expensive stage play in […]

Sinners (2025) – Minorities, Music and the Money vampires

A lot of hype has been generated, in a positive way, about this outlandish movie […]
- by The Liberum on 19/06/2025

Precision Warfare: How Trump and Netanyahu are Tag-Teaming Khamenei

Most people assume the Western world is intent on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. […]

Armenian Political Constraints on the Peace Process with Azerbaijan

The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered a phase where its feasibility depends […]
- by Ahmad Ghosn on 14/06/2025

All Roads Lead to an Iranian Nuclear Bomb

The world is watching Israel’s wide-scale military operation “Rising Lion” targeting nuclear and military infrastructure […]

Bent to My Will – Parallel dimensions in Egyptian hands

I had the good fortune of participating in Balticon 59 and took the opportunity to […]