Iran's Minister of Communications: The Payam Satellite Was Launched but Did Not Reach Orbit

Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stated that the "Payam" satellite was launched but failed to reach orbit. The United States had previously warned Tehran about the launch of ballistic and space rockets. On January 15, Azari Jahromi tweeted, "This morning, we went to the Imam Khomeini Space Center with ICT ministers from the eighth to twelfth governments. The rocket successfully completed two phases, but in the third phase, it did not reach the required speed, and 'Payam' did not settle into orbit." He also added in an interview with Iranian state television that "the speed of the satellite's separation from the rocket was not adequate and did not reach the desired speed, and unfortunately, at the last moment, the satellite did not enter orbit." This government official stated that work on another satellite named "Doosti" is ongoing. These developments come as the U.S. has warned Iran about launching space rockets. On January 3, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran to abandon its ballistic and space rocket launch program and refrain from "disrupting peace and stability in the region." Pompeo stated, "The United States will not stand by and watch Iran's destructive policies put international stability and security at risk." He added, "Such actions are once again a sign of the Iranian regime's defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231." A few days before Pompeo's statement, Qassem Taghizadeh, Deputy Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support of Iran, stated that the Islamic Republic is preparing to launch "three satellites" in the coming months. Taghizadeh added, "These three satellites will be placed in designated orbits after launch, showcasing Iran's space capabilities." It appears that "Payam" and "Doosti" are part of these new tests. France is another country that has expressed concern about the rocket launches. On January 11, the French Foreign Ministry urged Iran to "immediately halt all activities related to ballistic missile programs capable of carrying nuclear warheads." Iran claims that its missiles are not capable of carrying nuclear warheads as it is not developing nuclear weapons, and according to the JCPOA, its nuclear program is under international supervision. The Donald Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA, partly because the agreement did not prevent the development of ballistic missiles and Iran's destructive activities in the region. Bahram Qasemi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated during a press conference that "the satellite structure being worked on in this area, as well as the satellite launch platform and its technical structure, differ in terms of speed, range, and engine from military missile launch platforms," and that Iran needs this technology for "weather forecasting and climate issues." However, the U.S. Secretary of State claims that the technology in satellite launch vehicles is applicable in the construction of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. A few days ago, CNN reported that it had obtained satellite images showing that Iran is preparing to launch a satellite into space.