Iran satellite launch fails, in blow to space programme

Iran said it "successfully" launched a satellite Sunday but failed to put it into orbit, in a blow to its programme that US alleges is a cover for missile development.

attempted launch of Zafar -- "Victory" in Farsi -- comes days before 41st anniversary of Islamic Revolution and crucial parliamentary elections in Iran.

Arch foes Iran and United States have appeared to be on brink of an all-out confrontation twice in past seven months.

Long-standing acrimony between Tehran and Washington was exacerbated in 2018 when US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a deal that froze Iran's nuclear programme, before issuing new demands that Tehran curtail its development of ballistic missiles.

Washington has also raised concerns in past about Tehran's satellite programme, saying launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 amounted to a violation of limits on its ballistic missiles.

Iran maintains it has intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and says its aero activities are peaceful and comply with a UN Security Council resolution.

On Sunday, it launched Zafar satellite at 7:15 pm (1545 GMT) but it fell short of reaching orbit, defence ministry said.

A ministry spokesman said initially that satellite was "successfully" launched and went "90 per cent of way", reaching an altitude of 540 kilometres (335 miles).

" Simorgh (rocket) successfully propelled Zafar satellite into ," said Ahm Hosseini of ministry's unit.

"Unfortunately, in final moments carrier did t reach required speed" to put it into orbit, he told state television.

"God willing with improvements me in future launches this part of mission will be done as well," he ded.

"We achieved most of goals we h and data has been acquired, and in near future, by analysing data, we will take next steps."

Telecommunications Minister Mohamm Jav Azari Jahromi mitted in an English-langu tweet soon after that launch h "failed".

"But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!" said Jahromi.

Tweeting in Farsi, he ded: "I would have liked to make you happy with #good_news but sometimes life does t go way we want it."

Iran on Sunday also unveiled a new a short-range ballistic missile and its "new generation" of engines designed to put satellites into .

Revolutionary Guards' website said Ra-500 missile was equipped with new Zoheir engines me of composite materials that make m lighter than previous steel models.

It also unveiled Salman engines me of same materials but with a "movable zzle" for delivery of satellites into , allowing "maeuvrability beyond atmosphere".

In January 2019, Tehran anunced that its Payam -- "Mess" in Farsi -- satellite h failed to reach orbit, after authorities said y launched it to collect data on environment in Iran.

United States said launch of carrier rocket was a violation of a 2015 UN Security Council resolution endorsing international accord on curbing Tehran's nuclear programme.

Resolution 2231 called on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Tehran confirmed in September that an explosion h taken place at one of its satellite launch ps due to a technical fault, and slammed Trump for "gleefully" tweeting about it at time.

Trump said US h thing to do with what he called a "catastrophic accident" at Semnan Centre, also tweeting a high-resolution picture pointing to apparent dam at site.

Sunday's developments come at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, after a January 3 US drone strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghd.

Iran retaliated days later by firing a wave of missiles at American troops stationed in Iraq.

Its defence forces h been braced for US retaliation when y accidentally shot down a Ukraine International Airlines flight a few minutes after take-off from Tehran on January 8.

Iran says its internet services have faced cyber attacks for past two days, without elaborating on source of attack or likely motives.

country's on-off programme unsettles some Western nations as techlogy used in -bound rockets can also be used in ballistic missiles.

Islamic republic has successfully launched several satellites since February 2009.

It has also sent monkeys, a turtle, mouse and worms into .

(Im: Representational)