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France, Germany and Britain on Friday condemned the launch of
the Soraya last week using the Ghaem-100 Space Launch Vehicle (SLV).
The SLV uses technology essential for the development of a
long-range ballistic missile system, which could also allow
Tehran to launch longer-range weapons, the countries said in a
joint statement.
“Such interventionist statements,” said foreign ministry
spokesperson Nasser Kanaani in a post on X, “will not make a
dent in Iran’s determination to advance in science and
technology.”
Iran, he said, “considers the use of peaceful technologies” as
its given right.
Last week, the Soraya satellite, which is being developed by the
research arm of the civilian Iranian Space Agency, was put into
a 750 km (470 mile) orbit, the highest successfully reached by
Iran, according to Iranian media.
The 50 kg (110 lb) satellite was launched by the Qaem 100, a
three-stage solid-fuel rocket built by the elite military
Revolutionary Guards, they said.
Tehran denies U.S. assertions that such activity is a cover for
ballistic missile development and says it has never pursued the
development of nuclear weapons.
Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the
Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in
recent years due to technical issues.
(dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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