Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday it successfully launched a military satellite into orbit amid tensions with US.
Iranian local media have cited IRGC’s statement on the country’s “first military satellite called Noor (Light).” There was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch of the satellite.
Associated Press said US Department of State and Pentagon refused to make any comment about IRGC’s claim.
“According to IRGC, ‘Noor Satellite’, the first Iranian military satellite, was launched from two-stage carrier Ghased and was placed in 425-km orbit,” IRNA, the official website of Islamic State, wrote on Wednesday. “Further information will be released soon,” it said.
The launch comes amid tensions between Tehran and Washington over its collapsing nuclear deal and after a US drone strike killed IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani in January.
Iran has suffered several failed satellites launches in recent months.
