Iran successfully launched Sorayya Satellite
into its highest orbit amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel-Hamas war in
the Gaza Strip, and Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in the country. The space
event, a part of Revolutionary Guards and civilian space programme, is Tehran’s
improved ballistic missiles, fears the West.
The satellite, with its three-stage Qaem
100 rocket, was placed in an orbit at some 750 kilometers above the Earth’s
surface.
There was no immediate confirmation by
the authorities but Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour mentioned the launch
consisted of a 50-kilogram payload.
Iran faced UN sanctions for its ballistic
missile programme capable of delivering nuclear weapons. However, the sanctions
expired last October.
Uranium enriched Iran is now producing it
close to weapons-grade levels after its nuclear deal failed with global powers
and can produce for “several” nuclear weapons, cautioned the head of the
International Atomic Energy Agency repeatedly.
Iran always maintained its space
programme as well as nuclear activities is purely for civilian purposes. Contrary
to this, the IAEA and US intelligence agencies said Iran possessed an organised
military nuclear programme until 2003.
Throughout the last decade, Iran has
sent numerous short-lived satellites into orbit and launched a monkey into
space in 2013. However, there have been five failed launches consecutively for
the Simorgh programme, another satellite-carrying rocket.
Iran sent a capsule into orbit capable
of carrying animals in December as it prepares for human missions in the coming
years.
