Exclusive; The U.S. Expresses Concern Over the IRGC's Satellite Launch; Sanctions Continue

The U.S. Department of State expressed concern over the launch of the third satellite by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) into space, stating that this action violates a United Nations Security Council resolution. A spokesperson for the State Department, in a written response to questions from the Persian section of Voice of America, said, "We have long expressed our concerns that Iran's space launch programs provide a pathway for the development of longer-range missile systems, as space launch vehicles utilize technologies that are nearly identical and interchangeable with ballistic missiles." The spokesperson added, "Iran's continued advancements in its ballistic missile capabilities pose a serious threat to regional and international security and remain a significant concern regarding non-proliferation (of nuclear weapons)." The U.S. official continued, "We will continue to use various non-proliferation tools, including sanctions, to counter further expansion of Iran's ballistic missile program and its ability to proliferate missiles and related technologies to others." The spokesperson also stated, "In the coming weeks, we will announce new actions. The launch of a space launcher by Iran is inconsistent with the provisions of Resolution 2231, and the United States will continue to express concern about Iran's long-standing disregard for UN Security Council resolutions at the highest levels in the UN and other bodies." They added, "We do not rely solely on Resolution 2231 to limit the dangerous development of missile and drone-related technologies by Iran, but we will employ a comprehensive set of multilateral and unilateral tools that include sanctions, export controls, close bilateral and multilateral engagement and coordination with partners including the three European countries France, Germany, and the UK, and the entire European Union, including seizing shipments and issuing further resolutions from the UN Security Council." The spokesperson also noted, "Our policy towards Iran has not changed. Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon." Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic's program to develop its drone and missile capabilities occurs as, in mid-February 2022, six members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to consider the Islamic Republic's missile capabilities as a serious threat. Some Western experts also say that the IRGC's space program is a cover for developing intercontinental missiles. According to reports from domestic media in the Islamic Republic, Hossein Salami, the commander of the IRGC, who previously sent the Noor-1 and Noor-2 satellites into orbit, announced on Wednesday that the Noor-3 satellite is equipped with better imaging equipment. Iranian officials stated that this satellite was launched by a multi-stage space launcher known as Qased, which uses solid fuel.