Amidst epidemic: Iran launches military satellite

(Patria) – Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Wednesday that they have launched a military satellite into orbit, after several unsuccessful attempts in recent months.

They state that the satellite traveled 425 km into orbit, and was launched from the Iranian desert.

This move comes amidst the coronavirus epidemic, which has claimed more than 5,300 lives and infected more than 85,000 people in Iran.

The satellite launch has not yet been confirmed by any independent sources, and it occurs amid deep tensions with the US and the breakdown of the agreement between Western powers and Iran on limiting the country's nuclear program.  

The US State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Euronews reports.

Last Sunday, US warships in the Gulf reported a close approach by Iranian boats in the open sea.