Iran has claimed the successful launch of its first domestically-made satellite, to the satisfaction of the Tehran leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the despair of the West who sees it as a proof that Iran has the technology to engage in long-range missile launch.

 

According to local reports, the launch was perfectly timed with the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution. The satellite, called Omid (Hope), was officially intended for communication purposes, and Tehran has no interest in admitting otherwise.

 

However, worldwide specialists suggested that Iran’s space project aims at more than that, and that the technology could be used in a nuclear warhead context. But, as reported by BBC, Ahmadinejad said the satellite was launched to spread “monotheism, peace and justice.”

 

Usually when a country announces the launch of home-built satellite, the world watches and appreciates the technological and scientific achievement. However, when Iran does it, it’s a sign of distress for the entire world.

 

Despite denying its intentions of using the satellite technology for military purposes, Iran continues to create anxiety, especially considering its radical position regarding some states. It is hard to forget President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s words that Israel will be wiped off the world map, or his position regarding western powers.

 

Just last year, Ahmadinejad said the world powers could not stop Iran’s nuclear progress. In February 2008, upon Iran’s official inauguration of its space center, the White House called it “an unfortunate event” and a step further in its isolation from the international community.

 

But despite international concerns and mistrust, Ahmadinejad said at the time that the inauguration of the Iranian space center was “a very important achievement” and that Iran needed “to have an active and influential presence in space.”

 

The international observers continue to stay on high alert to Iran’s actions, as Tehran is believed to own missiles capable of reaching Israel and several other strategic objectives. Iranian officials deny such accusations, saying they are not preparing for any military offensive, and the nuclear program everyone is talking about has economic purposes only.

 

In April last year, it has also been suggested that Iran’s space center had all the necessary features to turn into a missile facility such as those in North Korea.

 

In late August 2008, Iranian sources reported that Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization’s plans for the next decade include sending its first astronaut into space. The announcement came after reports of a successful launch of a satellite carrier rocket dubbed Safir. Iran indicated that Safir succeeded in carrying a dummy satellite into space, however, foreign officials dismissed the reports, saying the mission ended in failure shortly after liftoff.

 

Reza Taghipour, head of Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization, said Iran should become the leading space power in the region by 2021, if the space program evolved according to plan.