US sabotage behind failed satellites: Iran

It’s quite possible. We don’t know yet. We need to look into it very carefully

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister

tehran — Iran’s foreign minister says sabotage by the US is a possible reason for Tehran’s failed attempts to launch two satellites in recent months.

Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday in an interview with NBC News in Munich, Germany, that it’s possible there is a US sabotage campaign against Iranian satellite launches. He confirmed that Iran suffered two failed attempts to launch satellites over the past two months.

“It’s quite possible. We don’t know yet,” he said. “We need to look into it very carefully.”

A representative for the US National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both attempts took place despite US criticism that Iran’s space programme helps the country develop ballistic missiles. Tehran has denied that the space vehicle launches and missile tests violated a UN Security Council resolution. In January, the country launched a satellite, but authorities said it failed to reach the “necessary speed” in the third stage of its launch.

Iran launched its first domestically-built satellite in 2009, on the country’s 30th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

This month, Iran marked the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry could not be reached for comment on the NBC News report which was widely quoted by Iranian news outlets, including the state news agency IRNA. —