Iran sends their first military satellite into space on Wednesday via the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); This is Iran’s first successful launch after several previous failures; IRGC official: This action will be a great success and a new development in the field of space for Islamic Iran.
On Wednesday, Iran’s military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), successfully launched their first military satellite into orbit after several failed attempts. Their previous attempt came early in February.
After the successful launch, an official from the IRGC stated, “The first satellite of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been successfully launched into orbit by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… This action will be a great success and a new development in the field of space for Islamic Iran.”
Despite a successful launch, Iran’s decision to focus on sending a satellite into space amid the catastrophe they’re facing due to COVID-19 is being met with significant criticism. Citing a United Nations resolution violation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated, “I think every nation has an obligation to go to the United Nations and evaluate whether this missile launch was consistent with that security council resolution. I don’t think it remotely is, and I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they have done.”
Speaking to the media, US Air Force General John Hyten – vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the success of this satellite could have ramifications regarding their missile technology. He stated, “It went a very long way … which means, it has the ability, once again, to threaten their neighbors, our allies, and we want to make sure they can never threaten the United States.”
Iran has denied any intentions of implementing this technology to its missiles, but Iran has also denied any pursuit of nuclear weapons.
