Iran released footage featuring an Iranian satellite-carrier rocket, called ‘Zuljanah’ blasting off from an undisclosed location in Iran. The Zuljanah satellite carrier test is the second of three tests scheduled for the long-range ballistic launcher, which could be used to launch nuclear warheads as the US fears.
Iran has successfully completed the testing of its Zuljanah satellite launcher for the second time for research purposes, according to state media reports. Iranian defense ministry confirmed that the satellite vehicle was launched with a suborbital target and the data gathered from the second launch will inform a third planned launch. State television of Iran aired the launch footage, which appeared to proceed without trouble, but there was no confirmation whether it was successful.
Zuljanah satellite carrier test comes after weeks of speculation through the satellite images that show Iran is getting ready to prepare for a launch at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in the province of Semnan. It was broadcast on Iranian state television and conducted a day after top European officials declared that negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement with Tehran will start in the next few days
“The third development phase of the Zuljanah satellite launcher will be based on a combination of information gained during today’s launch,” an Iranian defense ministry spokesperson.
The White House said it was aware of Iran’s test and criticized the move as “unhelpful and destabilizing.” It also said it was committed to using sanctions and other measures to prevent further advances in Iran’s ballistic missile program.
The State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington that the United States urges Iran to de-escalate the situation when asked about the preparations earlier this month. “Iran has consistently chosen to escalate tensions. It is Iran that has consistently chosen to take provocative actions,” Price said.
However, the US Pentagon has taken consideration of this provocative move and said the American military “will continue to closely monitor Iran’s pursuit of viable space launch technology and how it may relate to advancements in its overall ballistic missile program.”
Zulnajah- Zuljanah, the name of the rocket, comes from the name of the horse of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. According to a report by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, it weighs 52 tonnes, measures 25.5 meters in length, and has a maximum payload capacity of 220 kg at an orbit of 500 kilometers above the earth.
