In a significant achievement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have reported the successful launch of their third military satellite, the Noor 3, into orbit. This momentous event was confirmed by Iran’s Minister of Communications, Issa Zarepour, and marks a notable milestone in the nation’s space capabilities.
The Noor 3 imaging satellite is positioned at an altitude of approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) above the Earth’s surface and was carried into orbit using the three-stage Qased, also known as the “messenger carrier,” as reported by state media. This launch follows the successful deployment of its predecessor, the Noor 2, in 2022.
It’s worth noting that the U.S. military has expressed concerns regarding Iran’s space program, contending that the same long-range ballistic technology employed for satellite launches could potentially be adapted for launching longer-range weapons, including the possibility of nuclear warheads.
Iran has consistently refuted these assertions, maintaining that its space program is solely for peaceful purposes and not a cover for the development of ballistic missiles. Tehran has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and insists that it has never pursued the development of nuclear weapons.
While Iran boasts one of the most substantial missile programs in the Middle East, it has faced several setbacks in recent years with respect to its satellite launch attempts, often attributed to technical challenges.
In response to Iran’s activities, the Biden administration imposed fresh sanctions on September 19, targeting individuals and entities in Iran, Russia, China, and Turkey connected to Tehran’s drone and military aircraft development. In 2019, the U.S. had previously sanctioned Iran’s civilian space agency and two research organizations, alleging their involvement in advancing Iran’s ballistic missile program.
