Iran Successfully Launches Three Satellites into Space
Iran announced on Sunday that it had successfully launched three satellites into space, using a rocket that had previously experienced multiple failures. The launch is part of Iran’s ongoing program, which the West claims is aimed at improving Tehran’s ballistic missiles. The event comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, as Israel continues its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, raising concerns of a regional conflict. While Iran has not directly intervened in the conflict, it has faced pressure within its theocracy to take action following a recent Islamic State suicide bombing and attacks by proxy groups like Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Successful Launch Amidst Previous Failures
The launch was captured in footage released by Iranian state television and took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province. The rocket used in the launch was the Simorgh, a two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket. The satellites launched were named Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1, with Mahda being a research satellite and Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1 being nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communication, respectively. Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister, Isa Zarepour, confirmed that the Mahda satellite had already sent signals back to Earth.
Setbacks and Concerns
The Simorgh program has experienced five consecutive failed launches, including fatal fires and a launchpad rocket explosion. The rocket launched on Sunday bore the slogan “We Can,” likely referencing the previous failures. While Iran describes the Simorgh as a satellite launch vehicle, the U.S. intelligence community has raised concerns that it could be used for the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The United States has previously called on Iran to refrain from any activity involving ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
Changing Dynamics
Under former President Hassan Rouhani, Iran slowed its space program to avoid escalating tensions with the West. However, since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal and the rise of hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, Iran has been pushing forward with its space program. Additionally, Iran has been enriching uranium to levels closer to weapons-grade and accumulating enough material for multiple atomic bombs. Despite this, U.S. intelligence agencies believe that Iran has not yet actively sought a nuclear weapon.
International Concerns
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have condemned Iran’s recent satellite launch, stating that it could help Iran develop long-range ballistic missiles. The countries expressed concerns over Iran’s activity related to ballistic missile technologies capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran currently possesses the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, largely due to decades of sanctions and restrictions on advanced weapon systems.
The U.S. military and State Department have not yet commented on the recent launch, although the U.S. military has quietly acknowledged the success of a previous launch conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.