Iran satellite move sparks fears

[belfastuniguy 18]

Iran satellite move sparks fears

Iran launches own satellite

Western powers have expressed serious concerns after Iran launched its first domestically-made satellite into orbit.

Iran says the satellite, carried on a Safir-2 rocket, is meant for research and telecommunications purposes and insists its intentions are peaceful.

But the US, UK and France have voiced concerns that the technology used could lead to ballistic missile development.

The move comes a day before officials from six world powers meet to discuss a row over Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran is subject to United Nations sanctions because some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb.

Iran has an opportunity to step up and become a productive member of the international community US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Tehran denies that claim and says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy.

The group of six - comprising the US, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany - has offered Iran a package of incentives if it suspends uranium enrichment and enters into talks on its nuclear programme.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking after meeting UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, said the US representative at the talks in Frankfurt would continue to discuss the approach to take towards Iran.

"It is clear that... Iran has an opportunity to step up and become a productive member of the international community," she said.

"As President Obama said, we are reaching out a hand [to Iran] but the fist has to unclench."

'Great concern'

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday night's launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been successful and that with it Iran had "officially achieved a presence in space".

IRAN SPACE AMBITIONS Feb 2009: Iran declares launch of first home-built satellite into orbit Aug 2008: Iran launches rocket 'capable of carrying satellite' Feb 2008: Iran launches research rocket as part of satellite launch preparations, Tehran says Feb 2007: Iran says it launches rocket capable of reaching space, which makes parachute-assisted descent to Earth Oct 2005: Russian rocket launches Iran's first satellite, Sina-1 Iran's slow but sure missile advance

The event appeared to be timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

Reacting to the launch, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "This action does not convince us that Iran is acting responsibly to advance stability or security in the region."

US state department official Robert Wood said Iran's activities could "possibly lead to the development of ballistic missiles" and were of "great concern".

French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said France was "very concerned" about the launch.

"We can't help but link this to the very serious concerns about the development of military nuclear capability," he said.

UK Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said the launch underlined the UK's "serious concerns about Iran's intentions".

"There are dual applications for satellite launching technology in Iran's ballistic missile programme," he said in a statement.

"As a result, we think this sends the wrong signal to the international community, which has already passed five successive UN Security Council resolutions on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme."

Iran says its satellite will be used for research and telecommunications

Speaking after the launch, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stressed the satellite project was "for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country".

BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Iran has now joined a small group of less than half a dozen nations that can put a satellite into orbit.

Of greater concern to the US and and allies though will be what it says about Iran's developing missile capability, our correspondent says, because there is little intrinsic difference between a rudimentary space-launcher and a long-range ballistic missile.

It is just such a potential threat that the US missile defence system in central Europe is intended to defend against, he says, and Iran's move adds an additional level of complication as US President Barack Obama seeks to open a new path of dialogue with Tehran.

John Pike, an expert at the US-based think-tank GlobalSecurity.org, confirmed to the BBC that the launch had been a success and the satellite was now established in a low Earth orbit.

Space centre

Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February launched a low-orbit research rocket as part of preparations for the satellite launch.

That launch marked the inauguration of a new space centre, at an unidentified desert location, which included an underground control station and satellite launch pad.

The White House called the 2008 launch "unfortunate", warning it would further isolate Iran from the global community.

In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth. quote>

Iran launches homegrown satellite

Iran launches own satellite

Iran says it has launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the launch had been successful and that with it Iran had "officially achieved a presence in space".

The satellite, carried on a Safir-2 rocket, was meant for telecommunication and research purposes, state TV said.

A US state department official said the launch was of "great concern" and could lead to ballistic missile development. Iran insists its intent is peaceful.

France has also expressed concern, saying the technology used was "very similar" to that used in ballistic missiles.

Iran is subject to United Nations sanctions because some Western powers think it is trying to build a nuclear bomb.

Tehran denies that claim and says its nuclear ambitions are limited to the production of energy.

Revolution anniversary

Officials from six world powers - the US, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany - are due to meet in Germany on Wednesday to discuss the nuclear stand-off.

IRAN SPACE AMBITIONS Feb 2009: Iran declares launch of first home-built satellite into orbit Aug 2008: Iran launches rocket 'capable of carrying satellite' Feb 2008: Iran launches research rocket as part of satellite launch preparations, Tehran says Feb 2007: Iran says it launches rocket capable of reaching space, which makes parachute-assisted descent to Earth Oct 2005: Russian rocket launches Iran's first satellite, Sina-1 Iran's slow but sure missile advance

The launch of the Omid (Hope) satellite had been expected and was clearly timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran.

Mr Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread "monotheism, peace and justice" in the world.

But the launch could cause alarm in the West because of fears the technology could be used to make a long-range missile, possibly with a nuclear warhead, our correspondent says.

Iran will no doubt reply that it is once again being judged by double standards for using a technology that is commonplace in many other parts of the world, he adds.

Speaking after the launch, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stressed the project was peaceful.

"Iran's satellite technology is for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country," Mr Mottaki said, on the fringes of an African Union summit in Ethiopia.

We can't help but link this to the very serious concerns about the development of military nuclear capability Eric Chevallier French foreign ministry spokesman

US state department official Robert Wood said Iran's activities could "possibly lead to the development of ballistic missiles" and were of "great concern".

French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said France was "very concerned" about the launch.

"We can't help but link this to the very serious concerns about the development of military nuclear capability," he said.

UK Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said the launch underlined the UK's "serious concerns about Iran's intentions".

"There are dual applications for satellite launching technology in Iran's ballistic missile programme," he said in a statement.

"As a result, we think this sends the wrong signal to the international community, which has already passed five successive UN Security Council resolutions on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme."

John Pike, an expert at the US-based think-tank GlobalSecurity.org, confirmed to the BBC that the launch had been a success and the satellite was now established in a low Earth orbit.

At that altitude it is likely to remain in orbit for some two months before falling back towards Earth and burning up as it re-enters the atmosphere, he told the BBC.

Last August, Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket capable of carrying its first domestically built satellite, having in February launched a low-orbit research rocket as part of preparations for the satellite launch.

That launch marked the inauguration of a new space centre, at an unidentified desert location, which included an underground control station and satellite launch pad.

The White House called the 2008 launch "unfortunate", warning it would further isolate Iran from the global community.

In February 2007, Iran said it had launched a rocket capable of reaching space - before it made a parachute-assisted descent to Earth.

In October 2005, a Russian rocket launched Iran's first satellite, the Sina-1, which carried photographic and telecommunications equipment.quote>

[your_adress_here 11]

Let em, I say.

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

If other countries can have nuclear (or weapons in general), why can't they? I say if one can't have them, no one can.

[Mastermonkey12 0]

Hillary Clinton? Ew.

And I agree with ^him its not like the U.S. hasn't ever used nukes before.

[panthersimcity4 162]

OH. MY. GOD. Here comes the Second Cold War!

lmao kidding. Who cares? Iran can have satellites if they want.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: ilikehotdogsalot If other countries can have nuclear (or weapons in general), why can't they? I say if one can't have them, no one can.quote>

Yeah...of course lets allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.....Has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard...

You do realise Iran is a nation ruled by fundamental Islamic clerics that have a incredibly strong hate for the West and will do anything in their power and with opportunity to wipe Israel from the map in addition to many western nations.

So yeah....lets allow them to have nuclear weapons and while we're at it, how about we give North Korea the same thing so they can watch Seoul glow in the dark.

[fukuda 351]

Wth? Did they just discover that Iran has the capacity to build rockets and ballistic missiles? xDD

Iran has been showing off missile launchings for years and no one has reacted in a serious way, and I doubt someone will ever react if they continue showing only "concern", really...

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

Originally posted by: ilikehotdogsalot If other countries can have nuclear (or weapons in general), why can't they? I say if one can't have them, no one can.quote>

Yeah...of course lets allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.....Has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard...

You do realise Iran is a nation ruled by fundamental Islamic clerics that have a incredibly strong hate for the West and will do anything in their power and with opportunity to wipe Israel from the map in addition to many western nations.

So yeah....lets allow them to have nuclear weapons and while we're at it, how about we give North Korea the same thing so they can watch Seoul glow in the dark.quote>

I didn't say that (maybe you were reading YAH's post), but if one nation has nuclear weapons, why do we turn away others? I say give everyone the equal opportunity to protect themselves, it gives countries with nukes an unfair advantage. Besides, Pakistan, China, Russia (those loose nukes are looking good!), even Israel can do some bad things with their own nukes.

They (Iran) probably won't even get farther than North Korea did anyway...

[Duke87 1,070]

You know, this is strangely reminiscent of the reaction to the Soviets launching Sputnik I...

History, without fail, always repeats itself in one way or another.

[Yoman3 5]

Originally posted by: fukuda Wth? Did they just discover that Iran has the capacity to build rockets and ballistic missiles? xDD

Iran has been showing off missile launchings for years and no one has reacted in a serious way, and I doubt someone will ever react if they continue showing only "concern", really...quote>

Well some are real launches, some are photoshopped

Have to agree with belfastuniguy.

If one country can have it why can't another is one of the stupidest concepts I've ever heard of.

[Monk's Dream 0]

Well that's easy.  Because the countries with nukes right now are obviously the most intelligent, wise, kind-hearted, and trustworthy of all peoples. 

Silly you.

[your_adress_here 11]

Originally posted by: Yoman3

[...] is one of the stupidest concepts I've ever heard of.quote>

I could say the same of your views. But I won't.

[Terring 6,473]

With this logic, we should ban the American Space Program because space shuttles "could bomb us with nuclear weapons". For God* sake, this is ridiculous! Mister Obama, how many nuclear weapons to you have?

* If God really exist

"You know, this is strangely reminiscent of the reaction to the Soviets launching Sputnik I"

I totally agree Duke87, this is mad!

[nazaguy 0]

Sarcasm Warning - This is more then just development towards missiles with greater range and the like. The evil bearded clerics of Iran plan to send up a inflated goatskin to blot out the sun in the western world! I think they plan to achieve this after Ahmadinejad's meeting with the frozen brain of Hitler and David Duke. See? All the more reason to bomb Iran back to the stone age! - Sarcasm Warning Over

Lets think about this logically, and none of this 'oooh, the Iranians are evil and plan to destroy Israel' stuff. Yes, the Iranian leaders hate Israel. Yes, many of its leaders call for it to be wiped off the map. Anyone ever heard of rhetoric? The Israelis have the most powerful war machine in the middle east, along with enough nuclear weapons to make Iran glow in the dark, so I think that they can take care of themselves. But, more to the point, its a telecommunications satellite. Its not exactly if they've got the bleedin' death star up there, ready to guarantee the death of whoever the Ayatollahs disapprove of.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[Follarch 326]

Didn't even know that Iran "had" a space program, let alone satellites.

[SimCom 0]

It's because Iran, Iraq, and all those other countries in the middle east are known to be violent. People are concerned because it may result in a nucleur bomb dropped on US or Great Britain. If your country isn't at war, you don't have to worry.

[SimCom 0]

It's because Iran, Iraq, and all those other countries in the middle east are known to be violent. People are concerned because it may result in a nucleur bomb dropped on US or Great Britain. If your country isn't at war, you don't have to worry.

[Fresh Prince of Wmbg 44]

Originally posted by: SimCom It's because Iran, Iraq, and all those other countries in the middle east are known to be violent. People are concerned because it may result in a nucleur bomb dropped on US or Great Britain. If your country isn't at war, you don't have to worry.quote>

 

It would be stupid of them to nuke either one, we have anti-missle defense systems. Isreal, on the other other hand doesn't. This would probably spark a regional war in the middle east if anything.

[duack 14]

It would be stupid of them to nuke either one, we have anti-missle defense systems. Isreal, on the other other hand doesn't. This would probably spark a regional war in the middle east if anything.quote>

 

Anti-missile defense systems? very intruiging! Do you know how they work? This is the first Ive ever heard about them