Iran appears to be preparing an attempt to launch a satellite into space after a string of failures and condemnation that its space program is a front for the regime’s ballistic weapons testing.
Satellite imagery taken Sunday shows increased activity around a launchpad at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province. The photos show large numbers of vehicles and shipping containers, indicators for a future launch, according to the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Last year, Iran encountered a number of issues with its space program, including failed launches in January and February and a rocket that exploded before launch in August. The recent satellite imagery shows activity indicating repairs to that site.
After the rocket’s failure, President Trump waded into the matter to address speculation that the United States might have been behind the launchpad explosion.
“The United States of America was not involved in the catastrophic accident during final launch preparations for the Safir SLV Launch at Semnan Launch Site One in Iran. I wish Iran best wishes and good luck in determining what happened at Site One,” Trump tweeted, including an annotated image of the damage.
The United States of America was not involved in the catastrophic accident during final launch preparations for the Safir SLV Launch at Semnan Launch Site One in Iran. I wish Iran best wishes and good luck in determining what happened at Site One. pic.twitter.com/z0iDj2L0Y3
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2019
Although Iran claims its space program is not for military purposes and that it doesn’t want nuclear weapons, the U.S. has pushed back on that assertion and claimed the launches violated a United Nations Security Council resolution barring Iran from the tests. The Trump administration also announced the first-ever sanctions against the Iranian Space Agency after its failed August test.
“The United States will not allow Iran to use its space launch program as cover to advance its ballistic missile programs. Iran’s Aug. 29 attempt to launch a space launch vehicle underscores the urgency of the threat,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the time.
