Iran claims it has sent monkey into space

TEHRAN, Iran • Iran said Monday it has successfully sent a monkey into space, describing the launch as another step toward Tehran’s goal of a manned space flight.

The report gave no other details on the timing or location of the launch, but said the monkey safely returned to Earth.

Still images broadcast on state TV showed a small, grey-tufted monkey presumably being prepared for the flight, including wearing a type of body protection and being strapped tightly into a pod that resembled an infant’s car seat.

Iran has long said it seeks to send an astronaut into space as part of its ambitious aerospace program.

The U.S. and its allies worry that technology from the space program could also be used to develop longrange missiles that could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads. Iran denies it seeks atomic weapons and claims it is pursuing nuclear reactors only for energy and medical applications.

The Islamic Republic has not given details of its planned new space facility, but it already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, about 200 kilometres east of Tehran.