Global Security Newswire

Iran announced yesterday that it is assembling four new satellites to launch into orbit, the Xinhua News Agency reported (see GSN, Feb. 6).

Iran launched its first orbiting satellite last week, prompting concerns that the Middle Eastern state could use similar technology to build long-range ballistic missiles.

"Right now four more satellites are being constructed by the efficient Iranian experts," Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister Mohammad Soleymani said, according to Iran's Mehr news agency.

"The details of the satellites will be disclosed step by step at their final stage of preparation. ... With the capabilities attained, we are trying to raise the weight and the altitude of the satellites to be launched," he added.

Soleymani said the Omid satellite already in space "is doing its mission and it has no specific problem. The satellite is sending signals to the stations on the earth" (Xinhua News Agency, Feb. 8).