Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Olympic Officials Bar Transgender Women From Women’s Competitions

7 hours ago

Gabbard Releases New Documents Targeting Obama Administration

8 hours ago

US Existing Home Sales Fall More Than Expected in June

9 hours ago

Trump Strikes Tariff Deal With Japan, Auto Stocks Surge

9 hours ago

Storyland Will Sparkle for All Visitors With $1 Million City of Fresno Grant

1 day ago

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath’s Bat-Biting Frontman, Dies at 76, BBC Reports

1 day ago

Fresno County Authorities Seek Help Locating Missing Woman and Infant

1 day ago

US Justice Dept. Asks Epstein Associate Maxwell to Speak to Prosecutors

1 day ago
Iran Satellite Fails to Reach Orbit in US Criticized Launch
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
January 15, 2019

Share

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian satellite-carrying rocket blasted off into space on Tuesday, but scientists failed to put the device into orbit in a launch previously criticized by the United States as helping the Islamic Republic further develop its ballistic missile program.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged that Iran’s space program could help it develop a missile capable of carrying a nuclear weapon to the mainland U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged that Iran’s space program could help it develop a missile capable of carrying a nuclear weapon to the mainland U.S., criticism that comes amid the Trump administration’s maximalist approach against Tehran after withdrawing from the nuclear deal.
Iran, which long has said it does not seek nuclear weapons, maintains that its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component. Tehran also says they don’t violate a United Nations resolution that only “called upon” it not to conduct such tests.
The rocket carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the “necessary speed” in the third stage of its launch, Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said.
Jahromi said the rocket had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third. That suggests something went wrong after the rocket pushed the satellite out of the Earth’s atmosphere. He did not elaborate on what caused the failure, but promised that Iranian scientists would continue their work.

Doosti Is Waiting for Orbit

Iran had said that it plans to send two nonmilitary satellites, Payam and Doosti, into orbit. The Payam, which means “message” in Farsi, was an imagery satellite that Iranian officials said would help with farming and other activities.
It’s unclear how the failure of the Payam will affect the launch timing for the Doosti, which means “friendship.” Jahromi wrote on Twitter that “Doosti is waiting for orbit,” without elaborating.
Tuesday’s launch took place at Imam Khomeini Space Center in Iran’s Semnan province, a facility under the control of the country’s Defense Ministry, Jahromi said. Satellite images published last week and first reported by CNN showed activity at the launch site. Given the facility’s launching corridor, the satellite likely fell in the Indian Ocean.
Iranian state television aired footage of its reporter narrating the launch of the Simorgh rocket, shouting over its roar that it sent “a message of the pride, self-confidence and willpower of Iranian youth to the world!”
The TV footage shows the rocket becoming just a pinpoint of light in the darkened sky and not the moment of its failure.

Defiance of UN Security Council Resolution

The Simorgh, meaning “phoenix” in Farsi, has been used in previous satellite launches. It is larger than an earlier model known as the Safir, or “ambassador,” that Iran previously used to launch satellites.

Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.
Ahmad Motamedi, the chancellor of Tehran Amirkabir University of Technology, which designed the satellite, told the semi-official Mehr news agency that Jahromi already has ordered them to design another satellite.
“Now, we have earned plenty of experience and we will be able to make a new satellite quicker,” he said.
Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.
Iran usually displays space achievements in February during the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the revolution amid Iran facing increasing pressure from the U.S. under the administration of President Donald Trump.
Pompeo has said that Iran’s plans for sending satellites into orbit demonstrate the country’s defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. There was no immediate American reaction to the launch Tuesday.

Iran Denies Wanting Nuclear Weapons

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly slammed Iran over the launch, accusing Tehran of lying and alleging that the “innocent satellite” was actually “the first stage of an intercontinental missile” Iran is developing in violation of international agreements.

“In a matter of four days we (are able) to start.”Ali Akbar Salehi, nuclear chief
Iran denies wanting nuclear weapons. A 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers limited its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
However, Trump pulled America out of the deal in May. While United Nations inspectors say Iran has honored the deal up to this point, the country has threatened to resume higher enrichment.
On Tuesday, Iranian state television aired footage of nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi apparently from a previous interview warning Tehran could raise the its enrichment of uranium “instantly.”
“In a matter of four days we (are able) to start,” he said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Ally Lindell Wins Appeal in Lawsuit Over $5 Million 2020 Election Contest

DON'T MISS

Broadway’s ‘Gypsy’ Revival, Starring Audra McDonald, Will Close

DON'T MISS

Justice Department to Assess Claims of ‘Alleged Weaponization’ of US Intelligence Community

DON'T MISS

White House Not Denying That Trump’s Name Appears in Epstein Files, Official Says

DON'T MISS

White House Taps Mining Expert to Head National Security Office, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Protesters in Tel Aviv Call for Israel to End Hunger and Gaza War

DON'T MISS

Karbassi Fears Costco Could Move to Madera After Fresno Project Halted by Court

DON'T MISS

White House Says WSJ Report on Trump Being Told Name in Epstein Files “Fake News”

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Arrest DUI Driver on Probation After Early Morning Chase

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint on Friday

UP NEXT

White House Not Denying That Trump’s Name Appears in Epstein Files, Official Says

UP NEXT

White House Taps Mining Expert to Head National Security Office, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Protesters in Tel Aviv Call for Israel to End Hunger and Gaza War

UP NEXT

White House Says WSJ Report on Trump Being Told Name in Epstein Files “Fake News”

UP NEXT

US Judge Rejects Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts From Florida Probe

UP NEXT

US Republicans Continue Push to Override California Animal Welfare Law

UP NEXT

Doctor Pleads Guilty to Supplying Ketamine to ‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry

UP NEXT

US Olympic Officials Bar Transgender Women From Women’s Competitions

UP NEXT

Gabbard Releases New Documents Targeting Obama Administration

UP NEXT

In Landmark Opinion, World Court Says Countries Must Address Climate Change Threat

White House Not Denying That Trump’s Name Appears in Epstein Files, Official Says

2 hours ago

White House Taps Mining Expert to Head National Security Office, Sources Say

2 hours ago

Protesters in Tel Aviv Call for Israel to End Hunger and Gaza War

3 hours ago

Karbassi Fears Costco Could Move to Madera After Fresno Project Halted by Court

3 hours ago

White House Says WSJ Report on Trump Being Told Name in Epstein Files “Fake News”

4 hours ago

Visalia Police Arrest DUI Driver on Probation After Early Morning Chase

4 hours ago

Clovis Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint on Friday

4 hours ago

Henry Thompson Did Wonders for Fresno Airport, Leaves ‘Incredibly Big Shoes to Fill’

4 hours ago

Bryan Kohberger Sentenced to Life for Idaho Killings, Declines to Make Statement

5 hours ago

US Judge Rejects Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts From Florida Probe

5 hours ago

Trump Ally Lindell Wins Appeal in Lawsuit Over $5 Million 2020 Election Contest

Donald Trump ally and MyPillow.com chief executive Mike Lindell on Wednesday persuaded a U.S. appeals court to throw out a judge’s order req...

10 minutes ago

My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell gestures as supporters of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump gather outside Capital One Arena, for a rally a day before he is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025. (Reuters File)
10 minutes ago

Trump Ally Lindell Wins Appeal in Lawsuit Over $5 Million 2020 Election Contest

Audra McDonald Starring in Broadway Revival of "Gypsy"
32 minutes ago

Broadway’s ‘Gypsy’ Revival, Starring Audra McDonald, Will Close

Signage is seen at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 29, 2020. (Reuters File)
43 minutes ago

Justice Department to Assess Claims of ‘Alleged Weaponization’ of US Intelligence Community

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn as he arrives at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 13, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

White House Not Denying That Trump’s Name Appears in Epstein Files, Official Says

A general view of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 20, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

White House Taps Mining Expert to Head National Security Office, Sources Say

Palestinians gather to receive aid supplies in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
3 hours ago

Protesters in Tel Aviv Call for Israel to End Hunger and Gaza War

3 hours ago

Karbassi Fears Costco Could Move to Madera After Fresno Project Halted by Court

President Donald Trump speaks to the media as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche listen in the Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington D.C., June 27, 2025. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

White House Says WSJ Report on Trump Being Told Name in Epstein Files “Fake News”

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend