Iran: Satellite launch is ‘source of pride’
Posted by John Malloy on 02/03/2009
Iran Tuesday successfully launched its first satellite into orbit, a step hailed by Iran’s president as a “source of pride” for the Islamic republic, according to state-run news outlets.
Reported satellite launch took place on the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran.
U.S. Department of Defense officials confirmed the launch, and the State Department expressed “grave concern.”
“Developing a space launch vehicle that could … put a satellite into orbit could possibly lead to development of a ballistic missile system,” State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. “So that’s of grave concern to us.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to discuss Iran in meetings Tuesday with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
On Wednesday officials from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China will meet in Germany to discuss next steps on Iran. Wood said that Undersecretary William Burns, who is representing the United States, will seek input and discuss some ideas the Obama administration has about how to move forward. 
Watch Iran launch its first satellite »
Two U.S. officials confirmed that Iran had launched a low-earth orbit satellite, CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr said.
There were no indications of any weapons activity on the two-stage rocket, although the rocket is capable of launching long-range weapons, the officials said.
“I wouldn’t think of this in terms of highly advanced technology,” one U.S. official said. But it does suggest Iran’s two-stage rockets are increasingly reliable.
The Pentagon said Tuesday the launch is “clearly a concern of ours.”
“Although this appears to be satellite, there are dual-use capabilities that could be applied to missiles, and that’s a concern to us and everybody in region,” Department of Defense spokesman Geoff Morrell said….
Continue Reading www.cnn.com
Posted by
John Malloy
on 02/03/2009. Filed under
International.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the
RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
We have back yard mechanics in this country who are capable of launching a satellite into space. Launching a satellite is one thing, launching a fully functional satellite capable of performing some kind of useful function is another. So what exactly did Iran launch into earth orbit ? Was it a weather satellite, a military satellite, a communication satellite, or was it a tennis ball with parts no more significant then what we find in a simple AM radio ? I believe it was the latter of the bunch. Iran is playing a game.This was about showing its enemy's that it has the capability of creating long range rockets that would be an immediate threat to the world. I wouldn't be surprised if they announced soon after this that they have built a fully functional nuclear weapon. Bluff or no bluff, they are trying to get somebodies attention. Say maybe a new American president who's willing to negotiate with the evil ones. It may all be just something they can bring to the negotiating table.