Iran has launched a rocket capable of reaching the edge of space, according to a state television report on Sunday.
鈥淚ran successfully launched its first space missile made by Iranian scientists,鈥� the head of Iran鈥檚 aerospace research centre, Mohsen Bahrami, was quoted as saying.
Bahrami said the rocket was built by his centre with the cooperation of the Defence and Science Ministries, but gave no further details. According to other reports, the missile could rise to an altitude of 150 kilometres but would not be placed in orbit.
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The date of the launch has not been revealed. But the announcement will be watched closely by the West since the same technology could ultimately contribute to the development intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
One UK missile expert, however, says the test has 鈥渧ery little military significance鈥�. Doug Richardson, editor of the defence industry publication Jane鈥檚 Missiles and Rockets, told 快猫短视频 that the rocket would have a horizontal range of roughly 300 kilometres (185 miles), or 200 km (125 miles) with a heavy warhead 鈥� about the same as a Scud missile.
鈥淣o breakthrough鈥�
鈥淭he performance is similar to that of existing solid-propellant Iranian tactical missiles,鈥� Richardson adds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 no big breakthrough.鈥�
On Saturday, the Iranian defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said that Iran was planning to develop its own satellite and launch technology.
He was quoted in the daily newspaper Etemad-e Melli: 鈥淏uilding a satellite and satellite launcher, as well as (previously) launching the first Iranian satellite called Sina with Russian cooperation, and becoming a member of the space club, are part of the Defence Ministry鈥檚 plans.鈥�
Growing tension
Iran launched its first satellite, Sina-1, into orbit aboard a Russian-built rocket in 2005. Officials have repeatedly said that one of Iran鈥檚 ballistic missiles 鈥� called Shahab-3 and with a range of about 2000 km (1250 miles) 鈥� could perhaps be modified to launch satellites into space (see Iran poised to enter the space race).
Despite it simplicity, this latest launch may add to growing tension between the US and Iran over the country鈥檚 nuclear ambitions. Iran insists it is entitled to nuclear power to generate electricity and wants to negotiate with Europe and the US without giving up its right to enrich uranium.
But some Western officials suspect that the Iranian government in Tehran is trying to build an atomic arsenal. They infer ill intent from Iran through its unwillingness to cooperate with UN inspectors, and for keeping its nuclear programme secret for 18 years.
Quick bombing
On Sunday, President Mahamoud Ahmadinejad gave a defiant speech insisting the country鈥檚 nuclear programme had 鈥渘o brake and no reverse gear鈥�. At a meeting in London on Monday, Western leaders will consider tightening UN sanctions after Iran failed to meet a UN deadline for halting uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, the New Yorker magazine reports that a US Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack on Iran. An attack could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President George W Bush, according to the article.
The special planning group was established within the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in recent months, according to an unidentified former US intelligence official.
