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Iran launches space rocket

Atul Aneja

N-plan has no reverse gear, says President

DUBAI: Amid growing tensions surrounding its nuclear programme, Iran has successfully launched its first space rocket, marking a technological advancement, which is bound to raise concerns in the West.

Iran state television made the announcement about the launch, a day before representatives of the five Security Council members and Germany are to meet in London to consider fresh sanctions against Tehran.

According to Ali Akbar Golrou, deputy head of Iran's aerospace research centre, the rocket attained a height of 150 km but did not stay in orbit. He said a "sounding rocket" had been launched and it returned to earth with the help of a parachute.

Earlier, the head of the aerospace centre, Mohsen Bahrami, was quoted as saying "the rocket was carrying material intended for research created by the Ministries of Science and Defence."

Iranian officials had last month said that they would soon fire a satellite launch vehicle. In 2005, a Russian rocket had put Iran's Russian-made satellite into orbit.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country's nuclear research programme was unstoppable.

He compared Iran's atomic programme to a train, which was without any brakes and a reverse gear. One of Iran's Deputy Foreign Ministers, Manouchehr Mohammadi, said Tehran was prepared to address all contingencies, arising from its nuclear programme, including war.

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