On Tuesday, January 15, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reacted to the satellite launched by Iran, stating that this test demonstrates Iran's pursuit of threatening missile capabilities. Earlier that day, Iran's Minister of Communications announced the test of the "Payam" satellite, built by Amir Kabir University, and mentioned that the satellite failed to reach orbit due to a fault in the third stage of the launch. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State claims that the launch of this satellite violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231. This resolution, issued after the 2015 nuclear agreement in Vienna, calls on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Pompeo tweeted: 'The Iranian regime, in defiance of the international community and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, tested a space launch vehicle today. This launch again shows that Iran is seeking advanced missile capabilities that threaten Europe and the Middle East.' In this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted to the "Payam" satellite test, stating that Iran is lying about its program to send a scientific satellite into space. Netanyahu asserted that Iran's new satellite projects are nothing but 'testing the first stage of an intercontinental missile, contrary to all agreements.' In this regard, Hossein Samimi, head of Iran's Space Research Center, stated last week that the "Payam" satellite is intended to be launched into space using the domestic "Simorgh" launcher, and its technical specifications are such that it can place the 100-kilogram "Payam" satellite at an altitude of 500 kilometers with an inclination angle of 55 degrees. He described the main mission of this satellite as 'imaging the Earth's surface.' Meanwhile, Pompeo also reacted to these reports last week, urging Iran not to conduct tests. The U.S. Secretary of State had also stated on November 30 that Iran had tested a medium-range missile capable of targeting parts of Europe and the entire Middle East.
Pompeo: Iran is Seeking Threatening Advanced Missile Capabilities
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Iran's satellite launch, claiming it indicates Iran's pursuit of advanced missile capabilities that threaten global security. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu supported this view, asserting that Iran's satellite program is a cover for ballistic missile testing. This situation raises concerns about compliance with international agreements and regional security.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran attempted to launch the 'Payam' satellite, which failed to reach orbit. The U.S. and Israel criticized the launch as a cover for missile development, violating UN resolutions.
- Iran's 'Payam' satellite launch failed due to a third-stage fault.
- The U.S. claims the launch violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's space program is often viewed with suspicion due to its potential dual-use nature for military applications, particularly in the context of the 2015 nuclear deal and subsequent U.S. withdrawal.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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