Iran Reports New Satellite Launch Amid High Regional Tensions

The Chamran-1 satellite is seen at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Sept. 14, 2024. Iranian Space Agency/WANA-West Asia News Agency/Handout via Reuters

Iran launched a new research satellite into space on Sept. 14, according to state media reports.

Iran’s official Islamic Revolutionary News Agency (IRNA) reported the satellite, dubbed the Chamran 1, flew to an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth’s surface. IRNA reported the satellite was carried on a Qaem-100 satellite carrier, a solid-fuel-burning rocket developed by the aerospace arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military branch.

The Iranian state media publication described the Chamran 1 as a research satellite developed in collaboration between IRGC aerospace forces and the Space Group of Iranian Electronics Industries. The satellite reportedly weighs about 60 kg (about 132 pounds) and, per the Iranian state media, is designed to test orbital maneuvering software and hardware.

Iranian state media shared footage purporting to show the rocket lifting off from a mobile launcher on Saturday morning.

Iranian Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the IRGC, described the launch as a success in a statement he shared with state media. The Iranian state media publications further reported the Chamran 1 satellite had begun to broadcast signals on Saturday.

Salami, furthermore, called the Saturday launch mission a national accomplishment, adding that this is the second successful Iranian satellite launch this year.

There was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch’s success.

The satellite launch demonstrates technological advancements that could also serve Iran in the pursuit of an intercontinental ballistic missile. A July report, published by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, states Iran’s work on space launch vehicles “probably would shorten the timeline to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile, if it decided to develop one, because the systems use similar technologies.”

Iran is also continuing to enrich uranium, the report said, bringing it closer to weapons-grade levels. The uranium enrichment, combined with advancements that could serve an ICBM program, could form the basis for an Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Iran has denied it’s pursuing nuclear weapons or advancing an ICBM program under the guise of satellite activity.

Still, the satellite was launched at a time of heightened tensions across the wider Middle East, with the ongoing Israel–Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and Iranian vows to retaliate against Israel after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed under mysterious circumstances while visiting Tehran in July.

Iranian forces launched drones and missiles at Israel in April, in retaliation for another suspected Israeli strike that killed Iranian military leaders in Syria earlier this year.

The United States announced targeted economic sanctions against Iran this week, following an assessment Tehran has begun supplying Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, for use in Ukraine. The new U.S. sanctions are imposed on Iran Air, Vafa Wholesale, and Sea River Service for their alleged roles in facilitating the weapons transfers to Russia.

Salami, on Saturday, vowed Iran will continue to expand its space capabilities, despite what he described as the psychological warfare and propaganda of Iran’s enemies, which he said are meant to undermine Iran.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.