Alghadeer TV Alghadeer TV
Iran President Hassan Rouhani says a recent successful launch for a home-made satellite was proof that Iran has pursued a sound policy to develop its space sector.
In comments published on Friday, the Iranian president hailed the launch of Noor military satellite earlier this week by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). It was a right move in the right direction, he said.
“This success is a sign that strengthening the space sector in the country and in the armed forces has been a correct and effective step,” Rouhani said in a phone call with Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami.
The IRGC successfully put Noor-1 (Light 1) satellite into space on April 22, a move that irritated several Western countries.
The United States claimed that the launch showed that Iran could target other countries with its long-range missiles.
Washington and allies have even called the launch a breach of a United Nations resolution on a 2015 deal on Iran’s nuclear energy program, something both Tehran and signatories to the treaty have dismissed as baseless.
Iranian authorities have stated on several occasions that the country’s missile power is solely for defense purposes.
In his Friday comments, Rouhani reiterated that Iran should do more to further strengthen its space capabilities.
“We must try and do more than before to develop it (the space sector),” the president said.
He also touched upon a series of recent “provocations” by some countries in the Persian Gulf, saying Iran should move to keep its stabilizing role in West Asia.
“While maintaining our vigilance and (our) leading presence in the region, we should carefully pursue strategies that would ensure and strengthen stability and sustainable security in the region.”
