The Facts
Iran launched an imaging satellite into space on Wednesday, state media claimed, citing Communications Minister Issa Zarepour. If confirmed, this would mark Tehran's third successful launch of a military satellite in recent years.
The Noor-3 satellite is in orbit 450 km (280 miles) above the Earth's surface and was launched by the Aerospace Branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) using the domestically built Qassed satellite carrier, Zarepour said.
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
The launch of the Noor-3 is the latest example of the enormous progress Iran's space industry has made in recent years — despite the illegal sanctions imposed by the West. Iran is now among the world's top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites. No matter how much pressure Washington and its allies exert, Tehran will continue to surprise the world in the coming years with its technological achievements to defend its national sovereignty.
Anti-Iran narrative
It's an exaggeration for Tehran to celebrate the presumed successful launch of Noor-3 as further proof of its technological advancement. The regime had claimed the same in 2020, but the satellite did not provide any significant intelligence — not least thanks to Western sanctions. Iran also suffered unsuccessful satellite launches in recent years. However, since Iran could also use its space program to develop nuclear weapons, the international community should still be very vigilant.
