Iran hits back at Britain over satellite launch
By AFP
Iran on Wednesday condemned Britain for criticising the Islamic Republic over the launch of
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its latest military satellite into orbit.
The Islamic Republic announced last week the "successful" launch of the Noor-3 imaging
satellite by its three-stage Qassed rocket, in the latest display of its aerospace technology.
Western nations have repeatedly warned against such activity, saying the same technology
can be used for ballistic missiles including ones designed to deliver nuclear warheads.
Britain on Tuesday denounced the Iranian move, saying it had been done "despite repeated
calls from the UN Security Council to halt its ballistic missile programme".
"Iran's actions further prove its disregard of international restrictions and highlight the grave
threat posed by the regime to global security," it said in a statement.
Iran hit back on Wednesday, condemning the British statement as "interventionist".
"Achieving scientific and research progress, including in the aerospace field, is the right of the
Islamic Republic of Iran," said foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
He added that Iran "has reserved the use of peaceful technologies in the path of scientific
development and research."
Last week's launch was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
It also drew criticism from Berlin.
"We and our partners remain committed to using all diplomatic means available to prevent
Iran from developing nuclear weapons," Germany's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Iran insists it is not seeking nuclear weapons and that its satellite and rocket launches are for
civil or defence purposes only.
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The Islamic Republic has been under crippling US sanctions since Washington's 2018
withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal which granted Iran sanctions relief in return for
curbs on its atomic programme to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
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