Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Iran’s latest attempt to launch a satellite into orbit marked the fourth recent space launch operation in a row ending in failure, and yet Iran’s space program and Defense Ministry still praised the launch as “remarkable” and vowed to continue to program.
This elicited a response from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who on Tuesday repeated Washington’s longtime charge that Tehran is using the satellite launch program as cover to hone technology related to its ballistic missile capability. Pompeo said technological elements to the launch were “virtually identical” to those necessary a long-range ballistic missile.
Image via Iranian Defense Ministry/Phys.org
“The Iranian regime uses satellite launches to develop its ballistic missile capabilities,” Pompeo’s statement charged. “The technologies used to launch satellites into orbit are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in longer range systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles,”
“Each launch, whether failed or not, further allows Iran to gain experience using such technologies that could benefit its missile programs under the guise of a peaceful space program,” the statement continued.
“The United States will continue to build support around the world to confront the Iranian regime’s reckless ballistic missile activity, and we will continue to impose enormous pressure on the regime to change its behavior,” he said.
Last September, Washington imposed sanctions on Iran’s space agency, its space research center, as well as astronautics research institute — given all of these are seen as assisting development of technology related to Iran’s ballistic missiles capability.
Imam Khomeini National Space Center. Source: Iranian Defense Ministry via AP.
The State Department’s newest official statement goes so far as to suggest the Islamic Republic’s fledgling space program is being used to develop effective delivery methods for nuclear warheads.
Pompeo said the launches must be stopped because they aid in “development of systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons and we are seeing the dangerous consequences today.”
Over the past decade Iran has successfully put several short-lived satellites into orbit, but has been unable to advance beyond this.
Mike, It seems you cannot do a damn thing.
Not that I believe the latest round of US propoganda BUT there is such a thing as dual purpose technology. Weaponising or deweaponising is just a matter of a few modifications to suit the purpose.
Lol. I am not expert. But the so called space rocket looks much like a nuke missile. Besides. The day before the launch Iran advertized the testing of a new carbone fiber missile engine. The same as used by the space program.
But who really care ?
The real point is not the nuke. But regime antagonism. See Pakistan… who really care ?
Nuke has always been an excuse. A political cover up by the west to contain Iran and all scientific progress in a non aligned country.
Iran SHOULD have nuclear abilities, its all the Squatters in Israel understand.
Yep, the Israelis understand that just fine and that’s why Islamist Iran will never be allowed to have nukes even if it takes Israel’s nukes to stop it if need be.
Great, I hope it is :)
So answer this simple question Pompeo – US can have any and every imaginable type of weapon, but others can’t, why is that? Is that what you call freedom? I say good for Iran, develop space capability and inter-continental missile capability at the same time, that’s what US did!
Tech does not flow backwards. lol Maybe it is time that research should focus on mitigating nuclear damage. Defense will be outmaneuvered by an attack anyway. Especially when states get to miniatrize nukes in the future. The fucken horror when terrorists carry around mininukes in briefcases.
How desparate the yews are, because they are unable to control Iranians (be it their /stupid/ islam, be it their education, be it their society, finance, their natural resources).