U.S. Condemns Iranian Satellite Launch
PRESS STATEMENT
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
The Iranian regime uses satellite launches to develop its ballistic missile capabilities. The technologies used to launch satellites into orbit are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in longer range systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. Each launch, whether failed or not, further allows Iran to gain experience using such technologies that could benefit its missile programs under the guise of a peaceful space program.
Iran’s series of space launches reflects the failure of the Iran deal to constrain testing that could support further advancement of Iran’s ballistic missile program. The Iran deal lifted the prohibition on Iran’s missile testing and development of systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons and we are seeing the dangerous consequences today. The world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism should not be allowed to develop and test ballistic missiles. This common sense standard must be restored by the international community.
The United States will continue to build support around the world to confront the Iranian regime’s reckless ballistic missile activity, and we will continue to impose enormous pressure on the regime to change its behavior.
Editor’s Note: Iran’s Simorgh rocket failed to orbit an Earth observation satellite on Sunday.
11 responses to “U.S. Condemns Iranian Satellite Launch”
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Hmmm.
Ok, I can understand stopping production of highly enhanced nuclear fuel. There is no other use for that other than a bomb.
Likewise, stopping the construction of reactors geared to produce plutonium. There are alternatives.
BUT, stopping rockets, when space is about to be a huge thing for ALL NATIONS, well….
It sounds like Trump’s admin is overstepping by quit a bit.
Agree. I’m no fan of Iran but this administration is xenophobic. If the Iranians were on the verge of developing the wheel, this administration would oppose it.
This administration is not xenopobic, it’s simply able to distinguish an enemy nation from one that isn’t – a skill we have not seen on public display by any prominent Democrat since the death of Scoop Jackson.
Kind of missed on the whole Russia, China, North Korea thing. Haven’t they? That’s what happens when you cozy up to dictators. You lose the ability to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. Don’t worry though, I’m sure our new buddies in the Philippines and Brazil will be there for us when we finish alienating the European democracies, Canada and Mexico.
But I’m sure Secretary of State Pompeo has access to important classified information about the Iranian space program that the rest of us don’t have. Maybe Joe and Hunter Biden are secretly involved!
No classified intel required. Longer and longer range rockets in the hands of a jihadist government are categorically bad things.
The only reason you and the rest of the TDS cases on this forum think otherwise is you’ve bought into the idea that Donald Trump is the only real threat to the world so that anything he and his administration opposes must, therefore, be a good thing.
Iran has no consequential interest in space as such. It does have a considerable interest in threatening its neighbors and other nations that aren’t exactly its neighbors. To paraphrase an old Tom Lehrer line about Wernher Von Braun, Iran “aims at the stars, but mostly hits Saudi oil fields.”
Mr. Pompeo’s formal condemnation will have no actual effect, but he was not wrong to issue it.
Actually, EVERY nation has an interest in space.
babble they are the least threatening group in the region
Some people just cannot accept the fact that the genie is out of the bottle and any nation with the brain power and access to natural resources can build a working rocket (eventually.) They’re going to get one sooner or later and the rest of us just have to plan accordingly.
Pompeo is an idiot it is sad this failed. the Amateur radio project was impressive