US accuses Iran of using ballistic technology to launch satellite

US State Department. Photo: AP

Russia's TASS news agency reported on April 26 that in a statement issued by the US State Department on April 25, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo affirmed that Iran used technologies acquired from its ballistic missile program in the process of launching a military satellite on April 22.

According to the US foreign policy chief, “Iran’s satellite launch vehicle and others launched before it contain technologies that are identical to, and interchangeable with, ballistic missiles, including longer-range systems such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).”

“No nation has ever pursued an ICBM capability unless it was to create a nuclear weapon,” Pompeo asserted.

According to the diplomat, Tehran's space program is “neither peaceful nor completely civilian,” and the recent satellite launch is further evidence of that.

He called on the international community to stop Iran from continuing its ballistic missile program. The US secretary of state also called on the UN Security Council to extend the current arms embargo on Iran, which is set to expire in October. “We also call on the European Union to sanction individuals and entities working on Iran’s missile program,” he added.

Earlier, on April 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that none of Tehran's actions violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 on Iran's nuclear program, while the US and Europe did not comply with the terms of this document. According to Mr. Zarif, Tehran complies with the above resolution and "does not possess nuclear weapons or nuclear-capable missiles."

On April 22, Iran launched its first military satellite, named Noor (meaning Light). According to Iran's Mehr news agency, the satellite was launched into orbit 425 km above Earth using a Qased rocket.