Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has said the country is planning to put two homegrown satellites into orbit for domestic purposes. He stressed the satellites, which will be blasted with a Simorgh space launcher, will help to monitor weather forecasts and agricultural activities. But Washington officials fear the technology is being harnessed to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States in the future. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it is “virtually identical to that used in ballistic missiles”.
He added: ”The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime’s destructive policies place international stability and security at risk.
”We advise the regime to reconsider these provocative launches and cease all activities related to ballistic missiles in order to avoid deeper economic and diplomatic isolation.”
Is Iran launching a space rocket or a ballistic missile?
Iran maintains its intentions are peaceful, with the ground stations of the satellite dubbed “Dousti” (friendship), according to Tasnim News Agency.
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Satellite images of Iran’s Imam Khomeini Space Center reveal increasing vehicles near a launchpad and a building where rockets are being built.
And Markus Schiller, a founder of independent consultancy ST Analytics and expert in Iran’s space programme, believes the country is being honest.
He told National Public Radio (NPR) that although the space launch engines are military in origin they are based on old, ineffective Soviet designs.
Mr Schiller said: Iran always claims that they don’t want to build an ICBM but they want to pursue a space program.
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”That’s what I’m seeing right now.”
Another expert agreed, saying the history of missile development across several countries indicated old missiles usually become rockets rather than the other way round.
Michael Elleman, a physicist and senior fellow for missile defence at the International Institute for Strategic Studies told NPR a North Korea satellite launch was previously called “ballistic missile technology” by the US.
But he said Kim Jong-un’s nation continued to develop its space programme and when it launched missiles in 2017, different types of engines and fuels were used.
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He said: “And more importantly when North Korea did build an ICBM, they built a different ICBM.”
Iran has also insisted it has launched several satellites into orbit and is not violating any sanctions.
But Mr Pompeo says it is breaking the UN Security Council resolution in a 2015 nuclear deal that “calls upon” Iran not to test ballistic missiles.
Fears are now growing that the US will impose sanctions against Iran as a result.