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The Iranian Defense Ministry reported that the country launched three research devices into space, although it has not indicated whether any of the objects entered Earth’s orbit. The announcement could cause friction with the West amid talks in Vienna to try to salvage the 2015 Nuclear Agreement between Tehran and world powers.
According to Iranian government spokesman Ahmad Hosseini, the Simorgh satellite carrier rocket, whose name translates to ‘Phoenix’, launched the three research devices at an altitude of 470 kilometers.
However, the Iranian authorities have not offered further details, they have not reported whether the devices reached Earth orbit.
“The research objectives of this launch have been achieved (…) This was done as a preliminary launch, we will have an operational launch soon,” Hosseini said.
But hours later, the spokesman and other officials were silent on the state of the objects, creating uncertainty as to whether the rocket had managed to place its payload in the correct orbit.
State television broadcast images of the rocket with the words, “Simorgh satellite carrier” and the slogan “We can,” as it rose from Iran’s Imam Khomeini spaceport.
Local media hailed the ejection of the projectile, calling it “another achievement by Iranian scientists.”
Iran says it has successfully launched its Simorgh satellite-carrier rocket into space with three research payloads. An official says the three devices were launched simultaneously to a distance of 470 kilometers at a speed of 7,350 meters per second.https://t.co/g9WSTTvxxz pic.twitter.com/FiDfdZfhN2
– Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) December 30, 2021
However, Tehran, which owns one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, has had several failed satellite launches in recent years due to technical problems. Setbacks to the Iranian space program include fatal fires and a rocket explosion on the launch pad.
Previous operations of this type have drawn reprimands from the United States.
US Fears Rocket Launch Linked to Ballistic Missiles
The Islamic Republic’s rocket launches have raised concerns in Washington about whether the technology used to launch them could fuel ballistic missile development.
The United States government has previously indicated that these satellite actions defy a resolution of the United Nations Security Council, which asks the Islamic Republic to stay away from any activity related to these projectiles also used for the expulsion of one or more nuclear warheads.
Iran launched a rocket into space carrying what officials said were three research devices, drawing attention to Tehran’s missile ambitions amid faltering international negotiations over its nuclear program https://t.co/PtjeRTkig5
– The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 30, 2021
However, Iran has long indicated that it does not seek atomic weapons and maintains that both its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component.
Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit. In 2013 he launched a rocket into space with an animal (a monkey) on board. However, under the current Ebrahim Raisi Administration, the country appears to have sharpened its focus on space activities.
A controversial launch amid the negotiations on the nuclear program
The space launch reported this Thursday, December 30, comes at a time when the Islamic Republic and the United States hold indirect talks in Vienna, in an attempt to save the 2015 Nuclear Agreement, signed between Tehran and world powers.
Pact that the United States, under the government of Donald Trump, unilaterally abandoned in 2018, which was followed by a series of breaches by the Iranian authorities on the enrichment of uranium, necessary for the manufacture of atomic weapons.
Iran launched a rocket with a satellite carrier bearing three devices into space, though it was unclear if any object entered orbit around Earth. The launch comes amid ongoing negotiations in Vienna over Iran’s tattered nuclear deal. https://t.co/xbTmCbfpgW
– The Associated Press (@AP) December 30, 2021
Iran abandoned all the limitations of the agreement and increased the enrichment of this radioactive metal. It went from less than 4% purity, as allowed in the guidelines, to 60%. International inspectors also face great challenges in monitoring Tehran’s progress on this matter.
From Vienna, Iranian negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said he expects diplomats to carry out “more serious work to lift sanctions” when nuclear talks resume next week, describing last week’s negotiations as “positive. “.
But Washington has thrown cold water on Tehran’s optimistic assessments. State Department spokesman Ned Price said earlier this week that “it is too early to tell whether Iran has returned with a more constructive approach to this round” of talks.
The questioned progress of the negotiations on the Nuclear Agreement, in which Iran demands the lifting of US sanctions on its economy while Washington demands the cessation of uranium enrichment, increases fears that the nuclear pact will not be restored.
With Reuters, AP and EFE
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