The US said the satellite is part of Iran’s ballistic missile program as tensions between the two countries continues to escalate. Iran’s satellite took photographs of the Al Udeid air base in Qatar which houses the forward headquarters of the US Central Command and the headquarters of US Air Forces Central Command.
The Iranian state-controlled broadcast network, PressTV, said the images covered the “full expanse” of the base which allegedly hosts some 13,000 “terrorist” troops.
In retaliation to Mr Trump’s administration labelling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation last year, Tehran classified all US forces as terrorists.
Iran’s satellite, Nour-1, was launched in April prompting criticism from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
He said the satellite is part of the capital’s ballistic missile program which has caused Mr Trump’s administration a lot of frustration.
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Mr Pompeo said Iran’s assertion of pursuing a peaceful civilian space program was “fiction”.
He said the satellite launch “makes clear what we have said all along, Iran’s space program is neither peaceful nor entirely civilian.”
Mr Pompeo added: “This satellite launch vehicle and others launched before it incorporate technologies identical to, and interchangeable with, ballistic missiles.
“No country has ever pursued an intercontinental ballistic missile capability except for the purpose of delivering nuclear weapons.
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The international waterway sees 30 percent of the world’s oil transit.
US forces at Al Udeid and the AI Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates were on high alert following the ballistic missile launches.
American service members were subsequently ordered to bunkers temporarily during the launches.
Commander Rebecca Rebarich, spokeswoman for the US Navy’s 5th Fleet based in Bahrain, said US forces were “always watchful of this type of irresponsible and reckless behaviour by Iran in the vicinity of busy international waterways.”
She added: “This exercise has not disrupted coalition operations in the area nor had any impacts to the free flow of commerce in the Strait Hormuz and surrounding waters.”
Tensions between the US and Iran have been steadily rising since 2018 when Mr Trump withdrew America from the landmark nuclear deal with Iran.
This sparked worries that Tehran would develop long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.
Earlier this year, the US killed one of Iran’s most powerful military commanders, Gen Qassem Soleimani.
The US president said the Iranian general was “directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of people”.
The killing marked a major turning point in the escalation of tensions between the two countries.