A handout picture released by Irans Defense Ministry on December 30, 2021 shows a Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite rocket being launched into space.
The United States has voiced concerns over Irans launch of research devices into space, which marked another major milestone and scientific achievement for the Islamic Republic in the midst of the "toughest ever" US sanctions against the country.
"The United States remains concerned with Irans development of space launch vehicles," a US State Department spokesperson said on Thursday after Iran successfully launched a rocket carrying three research devices into space.
The spokesperson claimed that Irans space launch vehicles pose a "significant proliferation concern" and that they "incorporate technologies that are virtually identical to, and interchangeable with, those used in ballistic missiles, including longer-range systems."
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesman for Irans Defense Ministry announced that the countrys domestically-built satellite carrier rocket, Simorgh (Phoenix), launched three research devices in a space research mission that scored yet another achievement for the Islamic Republics civilian space program.
"We will speed up work so that we can become one of the six countries that can launch satellites into the GEO (geostationary) orbit," Ahmad Hosseini said.
Nevertheless, the US spokesperson claimed that Tehrans space launches violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
Resolution 2231 was adopted on July 20, 2015, endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Irans nuclear program. The US exited the deal on May 8, 2018 to impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic without any legal justification.
According to the resolution, "Iran is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology."
The US has occasionally referred to the resolution to condemn Irans defensive missile program and its satellite launches.
Iran contends that it has never negotiated over its missile program and that nothing in Resolution 2231 prohibits the country from its defensive missile activities, citing the non-mandatory terminology used in it.
Also, Tehran reassured the world by signing the JCPOA that it does not seek nuclear weapons, citing repeated reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that certified Irans full compliance with the 2015 deal.
Despite Irans strict compliance with the JCPOA, the US withdrew from the pact and reinstated harsh economic sanctions against Iran that the deal had lifted.
Tehran fully honored its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA for an entire year after the US withdrawal giving the remaining parties ample time to secure its interests, but as it received no compensation for US sanctions, the Islamic Republic began to gradually and transparently reduce its nuclear commitments, in a legal move under the 2015 pact.
As Iran has pressed ahead with its nuclear advancements, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi continued to confirm that he doesnt have "any credible information" that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/25464
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