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The US and its allies are worried about Iran’s satellite launch. Photo/Reuters
TEHERAN – Iran on Saturday (21/1/2024) successfully launched a satellite into its highest orbit, which is the latest program that the West fears could increase Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
The announcement comes as tensions rise in the Middle East over Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and just days after Iran and Pakistan engaged in tit-for-tat air strikes on each other’s countries.
“The Soraya satellite was placed in orbit 750 kilometers above the Earth’s surface on a three-stage rocket,” the IRNA news agency reported.
IRNA did not immediately acknowledge what the satellite was doing, although Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour described the launch as having a 50 kilogram payload.
The launch was part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard space program as well as Iran’s civilian space program.
There has been no independent confirmation that Iran has successfully placed the satellite into orbit.
The US military and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The United States previously said Iran’s satellite launch violated UN Security Council resolutions and asked Tehran not to carry out activities involving ballistic missiles capable of producing nuclear weapons.
UN sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expired in October.