Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran says it launches satellite rocket
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Iran says it launches satellite rocket
Reuters - Thursday, February 4
Send
IM Story
Print
By Parisa Hafezi and Reza Derakhshi
TEHRAN - Iran said on Wednesday it had launched a Kavoshgar-3 rocket capable of carrying a satellite, a move Washington described as a "provocative act."
Western powers fear Iran is trying to build nuclear bombs and that the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch warheads. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely to generate electricity.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the launch was a huge breakthrough which would help break "the global domineering system" -- a reference to Iran's Western foes.
"A launch like that is obviously a provocative act," White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters.
"But the president believes that it is not too late for Iran to do the right thing -- come to the table with the international community and live up to its international obligations."
On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad had struck a more conciliatory note, saying Iran was ready to send its enriched uranium abroad in what appeared to be an easing of its position in the dispute.
Speaking at a ceremony unveiling satellite technology, Ahmadinejad said Iran hoped to send astronauts into space soon.
State Press TV showed a rocket blasting off from a desert launchpad leaving a thick vapour trail. The home-built Kavoshgar-3 carried "living organisms," it said.
ISNA news agency said the capsule successfully returned to earth with its "passengers" -- a mouse, worms and two turtles.
"NOT A THREAT"
Mark Fitzpatrick at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies said the launch was one of a series and not particularly more significant than others.
"They contribute to Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, but do not foretell an ICBM capability or anything else capable of threatening Western Europe or the U.S. homeland," Fitzpatrick said.
Western counter-proliferation sources also said the Kavoshgar-3 was not a military system and was not a threat.
The rocket, propelled by liquid fuel, was a testing device for space systems that normally rises about 100 km above the surface of the earth before returning on a parachute.
In May 2009, a U.S.-Russia assessment estimated Iran was six to eight years away from producing a ballistic missile able to deliver a 1,000 kg nuclear warhead to a range of 2,000 km.
On Monday, a Pentagon report said Iran had expanded its ballistic missile capabilities and posed a significant threat to U.S. and allied forces in the Middle East region.
In December, Iran said it test-fired a long-range, upgraded Sejil 2 missile. Britain said at the time said the launch was of serious concern and underlined the case for tougher sanctions.
The Iranian president made no mention of the nuclear row at the aerospace event.
Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday Iran was ready to send its enriched uranium abroad in exchange for nuclear fuel. He appeared for the first time to drop Tehran's long-standing conditions on a deal with global powers.
BUYING TIME?
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, speaking in Turkey on Wednesday, said Tehran was considering the swap option.
"The swap formula is a more confidence-inspiring formula compared to other formulas. For that reason, we have to keep that formula on the table," he told a news conference in Ankara.
He said Iran was in talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Russia, France and the United States in Vienna.
The United States said that if Iran was serious it should tell the IAEA, Russia said it would welcome an Iranian decision on enrichment and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Iran must make real concessions and not just talk about them.
"If that doesn't happen and it's all just tactics, the international community will agree on further measures. Then sanctions cannot be ruled out," he told N-24 television.
Analysts believe that because of the threat of sanctions, Iran is trying to buy time to evade more domestic pressure. Ahmadinejad has been in favour of the deal because he wanted to win some legitimacy following last year's disputed presidential elections that have triggered anti-government protests.
"Ahmadinejad wanted a deal, wanted a some sort of agreement with the international community, especially with the United States, because it is clear he thought he would be able to use a foreign policy success to enhance his domestic standing," Volker Perthes, director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told Austrian broadcaster ORF.
"The deal is not struck just because the president says Iran is ready for a deal ... This is simply a sign that Iran is ready to come back to the negotiating table."
U.S. General David Petraeus told Reuters this week any military strike on Iran to quash its nuclear ambitions could have the unintended consequence of stirring nationalist sentiment to the benefit of Ahmadinejad's government.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
UK-World Summary Reuters - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
Hopes rise for N.Ireland solution as leader returns AFP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
Haiti death toll tops 200,000 as aid anger mounts AFP - 2 hours 1 minute ago
Hamas wants talks with US, Europe: Haniya AFP - 2 hours 14 minutes ago
Somali pirates hijack Libyan cargo ship Reuters - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
New US export strategy eyes Asia
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
In new term, Bernanke calls for Fed to stay independent
New technique helps search for another Earth
Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
Jackson doctor 'ready to surrender to police'
Low serotonin linked to infants' sudden cot death: study
Scientists 'grow' edible insects in Costa Rica
New technique helps search for another Earth
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 4 February 2010 Italy's prime minister links Gaza war to Holocaust
EU places Greece under tough budget scrutiny
Italian developer takes down iMussolini application from store
Scientists 'grow' edible insects in Costa Rica
Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West
Egypt: 2 editors punished for dealing with Israel
Gunslinger reflex helps save lives: UK research
Iraq court delays ban on hundreds of candidates
Indian mobiles fall silent over tower dispute
West offers skeptical reaction to Iran nuke plan
Jackson doctor 'ready to surrender to police'
Nokia says it has more than one million navigation clients
Suicide attack on Shiite pilgrims kills 23 in Iraq
Hynix executive, others, held over alleged Samsung theft
Bill Clinton to coordinate Haiti aid efforts
|
US debt to hit ceiling by end February: Treasury
US-TECH Summary
Yugoslav partisan who saved Jews in Holocaust dies
Hamas hosts Fatah leader for unity talks
|
Comcast profit up on Internet, phone subscribers
Barred Iraq candidates allowed to stand: official
Iran government survival hinges on nuclear issue: Israel
|
Uproar in Brazil over huge Amazon dam plan
Hamas gives U.N. response to Gaza war crimes report
Newly independent AOL reports profit
China welcomes foreign Internet firms: minister
European states keep Swiss bank secrecy under siege
|
AOL posts profit, but subscribers dwindle
Ukraine PM cries foul days before presidential poll
|
Berlusconi in Bethlehem: Wall? What wall?
|
Hynix executive, others, held over alleged Samsung theft
Nokia says it has more than one million navigation clients
Syrian FM: US has nominated ambassador to Damascus
Asia bolsters defences as West feels pinch: IISS
A look at the 2010 Cadillac SRX
NKorean-flagged Libyan ship hijacked off Yemen: EU
Scandal-plagued Baltimore mayor says goodbye
China to beef up security in restive Xinjiang
Judge drops charges against 1 in 1975 AIM slaying
Japan political kingmaker to avoid indictment: reports
Some House Dems oppose plan for jobs tax credit
Judge dismisses suit filed by Alamo followers
Malaysian police probe PM's aide over race remarks
Oracle database can be hacked remotely: researcher
|
Prelim delayed for alleged unruly passenger in Pa.
US Senate condemns hacking of Google in China
US sees 'spike' in Vietnam human rights issues
Court: Man can't sue prosecutor over terror case
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite Chinese warnings
Ohio teen told police he raped woman along road
Pakistan school bombing kills US soldiers, children
Marines brace for new push in southern Afghanistan
Argentina has Hollywood in its 'Eyes' after Oscar nod
Taiwan carmaker touts new luxury sedan in China
Worst movies of all time led by Clooney's "Batman"
President Hu says China must change economic model
US 'disappointed' by limits on Japan auto incentives
New Zealand virgin auctions herself for tuition
Soros: US, China key to world financial regulation
Up a favorite in quality Oscar race for animation
|
Toyota hit by over 100 Prius brake complaints
Leif Garrett arrested for heroin possession
|
Sharp swings to profit in third quarter
Asia stocks up on Wall Street rise
Executives get down and dirty in Undercover Boss
|
Sphinx-lined alley hints at wealth of Egypt's lost empires
Argentina has Hollywood in its 'Eyes' after Oscar nod
"Hair" back in Serbia after 40 years, minus nudity
Austria welcomes Oscar "hat-trick"
Jamaican scholar, choreographer dies in US at 76
UK model Katie Price weds cage-fighter boyfriend
Haiti charity single reworks REM's 'Everybody Hurts'
List of top 15 cable shows in Nielsen ratings
Worst movies of all time led by Clooney's "Batman"
Hamas wants talks with US, Europe: Haniya
Ukraine candidate accuses rival of 'swimming in mud'
Bomb in Pakistan kills 3 U.S. soldiers, 3 children
|
Google, NSA may team up over cyberattacks: report
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010
Pakistani scientist guilty in US servicemen attacks
Inspectors 'failed to check runway' before Concorde crash
In new term, Bernanke calls for Fed to stay independent
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle
Netanyahu hopes for talks with Palestinians in weeks
New technique helps search for another Earth
Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround
Kremlin body proposes radical makeover for Russia
Monster gobbles HotJobs for 225 million dollars
Netanyahu: Peace talks could resume in weeks
Afghans want to be farmers, not fighters, says U.S.
|
Cisco quarterly profit up 23 percent
Israel pushing Middle East to war: Syria's Assad
|
Iraq court lifts ban on hundreds of candidates
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says
Mideast peace talks will resume in 'coming weeks': Netanyahu
Oracle database can be hacked remotely: researcher
2009 videogame sales dip eight percent in Britain, Japan, US
Iran says it launches satellite rocket
Iran sends rocket with animal menagerie into space
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010
|
Hong Kong tycoons' wealth soars: Forbes
Google, NSA may team up over cyberattacks: report
|
Lurid testimony at Anwar trial closed to public
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround
|
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle
|
1 year on, China stays silent on missing lawyer
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says
|
N.Korea eases curbs on markets amid anger: Seoul
Obama nears end of Uighur Guantanamo nightmare
Philanthropist Evelyn Haas dies at age 92
Pa. woman convicted in pierced kittens case
Men at Work ripped off 'Kookaburra' riff: Aus court
Australia blocks Iran shipments over weapons fears: PM
Hollywood studios lose landmark Internet download battle
Gunman kills self in Ill. store, no others injured
Obama vows to get tougher on China trade
Motivational speaker charged in sweat lodge deaths
2 charged with Indonesia maid's murder in Malaysia
Prius brakes questioned; Toyota probe expands
'Bling ring' burglar says not guilty of LA thefts
Senate report: 'Dirty money' still entering US
Brown getting Kennedy's seat, but not his desk
Toyota posts $1.7B profit, raises annual forecast
Seoul shares rise on autos; banks, retailers fall
GM says China sales nearly double in January
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status
|
AA gives high flyers helicopter ride to Narita
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart
|
SKorean, US firms embroiled in chip espionage case
Who can afford Howard Stern?
|
Jay-Z sues lender over loan for NYC property
|
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart
PAKISTAN
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
|
Report: China investing $956M with UK's Apax
Balloon flown over highest peak in the Americas
S.Korea firm wins three billion dollar Iraq deal
Seoul shares turn down on banks; autos advance
HBO renews Big Love for fifth season
|
Obama vows to get tougher on China trade
Who can afford Howard Stern?
R&B singer Jill Scott sued by record label
|
Source: Jackson's doc to be arraigned Friday
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status
Scattered Palestinian protests reflect a fractured struggle
Stewart tells O'Reilly he's voice of sanity on Fox
Israeli Oscar nominee "Ajami" admirable, but dark
HBO renews "Big Love" for fifth season
Giacometti sculpture smashes auction world record: Sotheby's
Pakistan arrests 30 suspects in U.S. forces attack
|
Ukraine's Tymoshenko street protests
US teen blogging nosedives
New scan 'reads mind' of brain-damaged patient
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy: China
|
Foreign food aid trickles into Haiti's black market
|
Assad will lose power if Syria goes to war: Israel
Shell fourth-quarter profit dives 75%
IMF chief says may quit early; eyes French politics?
|
Israel mulls indirect talks with Palestinians
Hopes rise for N.Ireland solution as leader returns
India offers official talks with Pakistan
|
New US export strategy eyes Asia
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban, MPs to meet
|
Exclave's 10,000-strong protest rocks Russian politics
|
Israel envisages indirect talks with Palestinians
|
New Iraqi media rules raise specter of muzzled past
|
Threat of new Orange protests raises Ukraine tension
|
Obama aunt due in court over Kenya deportation: report
Cops: NY driver used mannequin in car pool lane
Suu Kyi, brother in court over house dispute
Trump annoyed with park weddings next to golf club
NKorea eases market crackdown amid economic woes
70-year-old jailed after crashing into Nev. casino
Thai plan to return Karen to Myanmar draws protest
Stakes high for Calif. in health care reform
Lurid evidence in Malaysia opposition leader trial
Family of Pakistan scientist slam US guilty verdict
Indonesian Muslim leaders slam horror movie
Mass. certifies GOP's Brown as Kennedy successor
Security bloc considers adding Iran, Pakistan
Obama begins full day at National Prayer Breakfast
Pakistan arrests 30 suspects in U.S. forces attack
Sumo's 'bad boy' Asashoryu to retire
House faces tough vote on $1.9 trillion more debt
2 gangsters sentenced to death in China
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy
SKorean, US firms embroiled in chip espionage case
Sony quarterly profit surges to $861 million
Pakistani o/n rates up; rupee eases; stocks higher
China launches WTO complaint against EU shoe levy
Debt-laden Dubai says new off-shore oil field found
Toyota weighs on Tokyo stocks
Hollywood loses key battle over illegal downloads
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
HSBC to open in S.Lanka former war zone
Sony books $870mln quarterly profit
Japan's Hitachi back to profit in December quarter
China rejects Obama pressure over currency
New art auction record may not be end, say experts
|
Hollywood loses key battle over illegal downloads
T.O., Ochocinco start Super parties on South Beach
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer
|
Sparks fly as Bollywood, cricket and politics collide
India's book restorers: saving the past for the future
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
James Cameron hints at Avatar sequel
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights