Iran achieved a significant milestone on Sunday by successfully launching three satellites into space. These launches come despite multiple setbacks in the past and increased criticism from Western nations, which claim that Iran’s space program is linked to the development of ballistic missiles.
The satellite launches occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East due to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While Iran has not directly intervened in the conflict, it has faced mounting pressure to take action, particularly following a recent Islamic State suicide bombing and attacks by proxy groups, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In a drone attack on Sunday, which was claimed by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, three U.S. troops were killed, and at least 25 others were wounded in Jordan. This incident further underscores the volatile situation in the region.
Iran’s state television released footage of the successful launch, which took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province. The three satellites launched were named Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1, with specific purposes assigned to each. The Mahda is a research satellite, while the Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1 are nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communication.
Notably, Iran’s Simorgh rocket, used in this launch, had experienced five consecutive failed launches before this success. The rocket, nicknamed “Phoenix,” has been a symbol of Iran’s determination to establish a space presence despite previous setbacks.
However, concerns persist in the international community regarding the dual-use nature of the Simorgh rocket. The U.S. intelligence community’s 2023 worldwide threat assessment suggested that the development of satellite launch vehicles like the Simorgh could shorten the timeline for Iran to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The United States has repeatedly criticized Iran’s satellite launches as a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution and has urged Tehran to refrain from activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
Under the leadership of former President Hassan Rouhani, Iran had slowed down its space program to avoid escalating tensions with Western nations. However, since President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner and protégé of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, took office in 2021, the program has gained momentum.
In addition to the satellite launches, Iran has been enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Despite these developments, U.S. intelligence agencies and others have assessed that Iran has not actively pursued a nuclear weapon.
On a broader international scale, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have jointly condemned Iran’s satellite launch, asserting that it could contribute to the development of long-range ballistic missiles. They expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear escalation and its impact on regional stability.
Iran, which maintains the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, remains a focus of attention in the region, partly due to decades of sanctions and geopolitical tensions. The United States has not yet responded to these recent developments, but it has quietly acknowledged Iran’s successful satellite launch.