A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department announced on Friday: "Washington is aware of reports regarding the launch of a satellite by the Islamic Republic." He added: "At this time, we cannot provide details about this launch, but we have long expressed our concerns about Iran's space launch vehicle programs, which provide a pathway for the development of long-range ballistic missile systems in the country." These remarks were made in response to a request from the Persian section of Voice of America for a reaction to Iran's satellite launch. The State Department spokesperson continued: "Although the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran's ballistic missile program expired in October 2023, we have never relied solely on this resolution to limit the development and proliferation of dangerous missile and drone-related technologies from Iran. Instead, we have utilized a comprehensive set of multilateral and domestic tools to counter this threat." He also added: "The United States continues to use various non-proliferation tools, including sanctions, in coordination with our allies and partners to prevent further advancements in Iran's ballistic missile program and its ability to proliferate related technologies." Iranian state media reported on Friday about a new space launch. According to the official IRNA news agency, the Islamic Republic Army used the "Simorgh" launch vehicle to place the research satellite "Fakhr 1" and the orbital transfer block "Saman 1" with a total weight of 300 kilograms into orbit. The Simorgh launch vehicle is a two-stage liquid-fueled launcher used for this mission. The Islamic Republic has consistently denied seeking to produce nuclear weapons and emphasizes that its missile and space programs are solely for defensive and civilian purposes. Last month, Russia launched 55 satellites, including two Iranian satellites named "Kowsar" and "Hodhod." This action reflects the deepening political, economic, and military relations between Tehran and Moscow. Iran's space programs and its cooperation with Russia continue amid ongoing international concerns about the development of this country's missile technology.
U.S. Expresses Concern Over Expansion of Iran's Space and Ballistic Missile Programs
The U.S. has expressed concerns over Iran's recent satellite launch and its implications for ballistic missile development. The Iranian military successfully launched a satellite using the Simorgh rocket, which has raised alarms regarding Iran's space and missile capabilities. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly in the context of international security.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
U.S. expresses concern over Iran's satellite launch and missile program expansion.
- U.S. State Department announce Iran
- U.S. State Department express concern Iran's space and ballistic missile programs
- U.S. State Department utilize non-proliferation tools
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. is increasingly concerned about Iran's missile capabilities as it expands its space program.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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