UK Slams Iran's Recent Satellite Launch

The United Kingdom has criticized Iran's launch of the Nour-III satellite, characterizing it as a blatant disregard for international constraints.

On September 27th, Iran announced the satellite's successful launch using the Qased Space Launch Vehicle, which incorporates technology crucial for the development of a long-range ballistic missile system. The announcement comes at a time of escalating tensions between Iran and Western nations.

“Iran has taken this action despite repeated calls from the UN Security Council to halt its ballistic-missile program. Iran’s actions further prove its disregard of international restrictions and highlight the grave threat posed by the regime to global security,” the Foreign Office declared in a statement on Tuesday.

“Alongside partners, the UK remains committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to hold the regime to account for its malign activity around the world."

The controversy is not new for the regime. The United States has also accused Iran of contravening the UN Security Council regulations over the years through its satellite programme. As far back as 2017, then-US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called Iran's latest launch "provocative", stating it violated Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers. She said: "We consider that to be continued ballistic-missile development."

Iran has a track record of promptly announcing successful space launches through its state-run television channels while often remaining silent on failed attempts. Over the past decade, Iran has launched several short-lived satellites into orbit and even sent a monkey into space in 2013. However, there have been five consecutive unsuccessful launches in the Simorgh program, which involves satellite-carrying rockets.

Additionally, in a separate incident, a fire at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in February 2019, resulted in the deaths of three researchers, as reported at the time.