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Iran makes first satellite launch Iran launches its first satellite
(about 1 hour 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. The satellite was designed for research and telecommunications purposes, the television report said.
Iran denies this, saying its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy. Iran is subject to UN sanctions as some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb, which it denies.
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. Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread monotheism, peace and justice in the world. The launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran.
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.
Space centreSpace 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. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread "monotheism, peace and justice" in the world.
But the launch could cause alarm in the West because of fears the technology could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says. IRAN SPACE AMBITIONS Aug 2008: Iran launches rocket 'capable of carrying satellite'Feb 2008: Iran launches research rocket as part of satellite launch preparations, Tehran saysFeb 2007: Iran says it launches rocket capable of reaching space, which makes parachute-assisted descent to EarthOct 2005: Russian rocket launches Iran's first satellite, Sina 1
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.
Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February launched a low-orbit research rocket 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.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.
The White House called the 2008 launch "unfortunate", warning it would further isolate Iran from the global community.
In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth.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.In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment.