Iran Claims to Have Lofted Military Satellite Into Orbit

If confirmed, it would mark the first time for the country to successfully conduct such a launch

Iran Claims to Have Lofted Military Satellite Into Orbit

File Photo: AP

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said on April 22nd that it launched a military satellite into space for the first time.
 
On its website, the hard-line paramilitary force said the three-stage launch of the "Noor" satellite took place in the country's Central Desert, and that the satellite reached an orbit of 425 kilometers.
 
However, there was no independent confirmation of the launch.
 
At a Pentagon press briefing, Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist said "We view this as further evidence of Iran's behavior that is threatening in the region."
 
Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was too early to conclude whether the launch was successful. "It went a very long way…which means, it has the ability, once again, to threaten their neighbors, our allies, and we want to make sure they can never threaten the United States."
 
Israel's Foreign Ministry described the Iranian action as a "facade for Iran's continuous development of advanced missile technology."
 
Iran has had a series of setbacks recently with two failed launches and a launchpad rocket explosion last year, and another failed launch in February. 
 
At a press conference on April 22, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said every country should evaluate whether the launch was consistent with the 2015 UN resolution calling on Tehran to refrain from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. "I don’t think it remotely is, and I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they have done," he added.
 
According to Western officials, such launches could help Iran develop nuclear-armed ICBMs.