Iran “not surprised” by US reaction to rocket launch
Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
10:30GMT—6:30AM/EST
IRAN – US – ROCKET LAUNCH – REACTION
Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran said today that it was not surprised by the US reaction to its test of a rocket capable of carrying a satellite, which a US Defense official yesterday called a “dramatic failure”.
Tehran announced on Sunday that it had successfully launched a rocket named Safir [Envoy], carrying a test-satellite, which was put into orbit.
But yesterday, an unnamed US Defense official was quoted by Reuters as saying: “The attempted launch failed.”
The official added: “The vehicle failed shortly after lift-off and in no way reached its intended position.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hassan Qashqavi, however, dismissed the reaction.
“The people of Iran are not surprised by this kind of positions taken by American officials and the denial of the successful achievements of our country,” the official IRNA news agency reports Qashqavi as saying.
He added: “It would be surprising if the Americans had welcomed the progress of the Iranian nation and had received the proud achievement of Iranians.”
On Monday, German’s Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, Stefan Bredohl, said that the reported test launch would harm the international community’s relationship with Iran. He said that the world has already lost trust in Iran as a result of its controversial nuclear program.
“In relation to this, one can already say that that which has supposedly happened yesterday, is no contribution towards the rebuilding of the ruined trust,” Bredohl said in a press briefing on Monday.
Sunday’s test drew immediate condemnation from the White House, which is leading international efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program, which it suspects is aimed at building a nuclear weapon – a charge Tehran denies.
Gordon Johndroe, the White House National Security Adviser, said the testing of rockets “is troubling and raises further questions about their [Iran’s] intentions.”
Sources: IRNA in Persian, Germany’s Foreign Ministry website, White House website
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