Iran says it has successfully launched a satellite into orbit

(Patria) - Iran has successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite into space, which could further increase tensions with Western countries who fear its space technology could be used for the development of nuclear weapons, AP reported.

Iranian Communications Minister Isa Zarepour said the Noor-3 satellite was placed into an orbit 450 kilometers above the Earth's surface, the state news agency IRNA reported.
Iran has had a series of failed launches in recent years. The latest launch was carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which has had more success. General Hossein Salami, the Guard's commander, said the launch was a "victory" and that the satellite would collect data and photos.

Authorities released footage of the rocket's launch from a mobile launcher, without specifying where the launch took place. Details in the video correspond to a Guard base near Shahroud, some 330 kilometers northeast of the capital Tehran. The base is located in Semnan province, home to the Imam Khomeini Spaceport from which Iran's civilian space program operates. The Guard operates its own space program and military infrastructure parallel to Iran's regular armed forces and answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran launched its first satellite into space in April 2020. However, the head of the US Space Command later described it as a "webcam spinning in space" that would not provide vital intelligence. Western sanctions prohibit Iran from importing advanced spy technology. The United States has claimed that Iran's satellite launches defy a UN Security Council resolution and has urged Tehran not to undertake any activities related to ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons.

US intelligence community assessments for 2022 say that the development of satellite launch rockets "shortens the timeline" for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile as it uses similar technology.

Iran has always denied making nuclear weapons and says its space program, as well as its nuclear activities, are exclusively for civilian purposes.

Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit in the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. The program, however, has had recent problems. There were five consecutive failed launches of the Simorgh program, another satellite-carrying rocket.
Three researchers died in a fire at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in February 2019, authorities said at the time.