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| Iran makes first satellite launch | Iran makes first satellite launch |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Iran has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit, state media reports. | Iran has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit, state media reports. |
| TV commentary said Monday's night-time launch from a Safir-2 rocket was "another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions". | TV commentary said Monday's night-time launch from a Safir-2 rocket was "another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions". |
| Iran is subject to UN sanctions because the US and other Western powers suspect it is trying to build a nuclear bomb. | |
| Iran denies this, saying its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy. | Iran denies this, saying its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy. |
| The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran said the launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution. | |
| Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread monotheism, peace and justice in the world. | Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread monotheism, peace and justice in the world. |
| But it could cause alarm in the West because of fears that the satellite could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says. | |
| Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds. | Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds. |
| Space centre | |
| Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February sent a probe into space as part of preparations for the satellite launch. | |
| That launch marked the inauguration of a new space centre, at an unidentified desert location, which included an underground control station and satellite launch pad. | |
| In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth. | |
| In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment. |