Iran has launched a satellite into orbit, the announcement was made by an Iranian minister, as part of a new civilian program. However, the launch failed, like those already attempted in recent years. The United States believes that behind the launch of the satellite there is a correlation with the development of new ballistic missiles. State television has claimed that the Guardian Corps of the Revolution is solely responsible for the missile program. The Corps, in fact, a few hours after the launch of the satellite revealed the existence of a new short-range ballistic missile.
The announcements come at a time of intense tension with the United States, after the killing of Iranian "symbol" general Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3 that prompted Iran to carry out a missile attack against a US military base in Iraq.
The Iranian minister of technology, information and communications Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi was mentioned on state television in relation to the satellite Zafar (Victory) which would have been launched since Semnan Iranian space center.
Tehran launched the first Iranian-made satellite in 2009, another in 2011 and a third in 2012. Last year, at least two satellite launches failed.
The United States claims that the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used for launching nuclear warheads. Tehran, in response, says it has never pursued the goal of developing nuclear weapons and denies that its aerospace program is a cover for missile development. The Iranian government has stated that Tehran's missile program is exclusively for defensive purposes and with civilian characteristics.
The new short-range missile
In another report, state television claimed that the Revolutionary Guard Corps is responsible for the country's missile program and that there would be in their arsenal a new short-range missile produced entirely in Iran.
The new missile the Raad-500, thunder in Farsi, is half the weight of a similar missile, the Fateh-110, but its range is about 200 km (120 miles) more and is powered by a new generation of engines, identical to those designed for launch satellites into orbit.
Washington reintroduced sanctions against Iran after President Donald Trump in 2018 withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, signed by Tehran with six other world powers.
Under this agreement, Tehran was expected to slow down its nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
The United States justified its exit from the nuclear deal by saying that the deal is not permanent, it is not about the Iranian missile program, and it is not about what Washington sees as a clear-cut intrusion by Iran in other areas of the world.