Iran nuclear weapons: The missile launch failed (Image: GETTY)
IRAN’S attempt to launch a satellite failed on Tuesday, after ignoring U.S. warnings against doing this. Here is the latest on the missile launch.
PUBLISHED: 23:19, Tue, Jan 15, 2019
UPDATED: 23:33, Tue, Jan 15, 2019
Washington previously warned Tehran earlier in the month to not carry out three planned rocket launches, as it said this would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution because they use ballistic missile technology. The United States was also concerned that the long-range ballistic technology, which was used to put satellites into orbit, could also be used to launch warheads. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran had carried out the launch “in defiance of the international community” and tweeted: “The launch yet again shows that Iran is pursuing enhanced missile capabilities that threaten Europe and the Middle East.”
How many nuclear weapons does Tehran have?
Iran considers its space programme “a matter of national pride”, although an exact number of nuclear weapons is not known.
However, the country has said its space vehicle launches and missile tests were not violations, so they should be able to carry on developing them.
Under the United Nations Security Council resolution that set out Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, the country is “called upon” to stop working on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons for up to eight years.
US President Donald Trump pulled out of the resolution last spring.
Telecoms Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said the satellite, which was named Payam, failed in the third stage of the launch as it “did not reach adequate speed,” according to a report on the ministry’s website.
The report added the satellite was supposed to be used for imaging and communications purposes and was mounted with four cameras.
The satellite was also meant to stay at an altitude of 500 km for about three years.
Mr Azari-Jahromi posted on social media that another satellite named Doosti is ready to be launched.
He said: ”We should not come up short or stop. It’s exactly in these circumstances that we Iranians are different than other people in spirit and bravery.”
Iran launched its first domestically built satellite, the OMID (Hope) research and telecoms satellite in 2009 on the 30th anniversary of the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution in 2009.
Next month will be the 40th anniversary of the launch.
No comments:
Post a Comment