ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Saturday announced the successful launch of a research satellite into orbit, part of its space program that has long been a subject of Western criticism. Tehran's foreign ministry signaled a willingness for talks with world powers as new sanctions were announced.
“The Chamran 1 research satellite was launched this morning by the Ghaem-100 satellite and successfully placed in an orbit 550 kilometers from the Earth,” Iranian state media IRNA reported.
The satellite weighs about 60 kilograms and “its main mission is to test hardware and software systems to prove orbital maneuvering technology,” according to IRNA.
The satellite was designed by the Iranian Electronics Industries affiliated with the defense ministry and the Ghaem-100 carrier was designed and built by experts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, IRNA reported.
IRGC chief Hossein Salami said in a congratulatory message that the launch was “one of the manifestations of the cooperation between the government and the sacred IRGC institution in creating a magnificent national event and overcoming extensive sanctions."
Iran has been under frequent fire from Western governments, especially the United States, for its satellite program. The West has argued that the technologies could be used for launching ballistic missiles or even delivering nuclear warheads.
Tehran maintains its position that it does not seek nuclear weapons and its satellites are for civil or defense purposes.
Since 2018, Iran has lived under strict sanctions imposed by the West after former US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal.
On Saturday, Abbas Araghchi, the new government’s foreign minister, signaled Tehran’s openness to dialogue with the West, but he conditioned any talks on mutual respect.
“It is surprising that Western countries still do not understand that sanctions are a failed tool and they cannot impose their will on Iran through sanctions,” Araghchi said in response to a question from IRNA on new sanctions.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue firmly on its path. Although we have always been open to dialogue and have never abandoned constructive talks to reach mutual understanding on disputed issues, such dialogue must be based on mutual respect, not threats and pressure,” he added.
Araghchi was Iran’s top negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
On Tuesday, Britain, France, and Germany announced that they would cut aviation agreements with Iran and imposed new sanctions on its national airline Iran Air, claiming that Tehran has repeatedly defied warnings about the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.
"This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia and is a direct threat to European security," the three countries said in a joint statement.
The Netherlands summoned Iran’s envoy over the alleged weapons transfer.
Two days later, Iran summoned the British, Dutch, German, and French envoys over the new sanctions. Tehran has denied supplying Russia with ballistic missiles.
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