An Iranian rocket that was to conduct a satellite launch reportedly exploded on its launch pad at Imam Khomeini Space Centre in northern Iran before its scheduled launch on August 29. The launch was criticised by the US for allegedly being related to Iran's illicit nuke programme. This marked the third launch failure of 2019 for the Islamic Republic. The Iranian state media did not acknowledge the incident at Iran's Semnan province immediately, an official on August 30 also tweeted claiming that satellite Tehran planned to launch was safe in a lab.

Satellite images released by Planet Labs Inc. showed a black plume of smoke rising above a launchpad, with what appeared to be the charred remains of a rocket and its launch stand. David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies said that the images of the space centre suggested that the rocket could have exploded during ignition or possibly briefly lifted off before crashing back down on the pad. Water runoff from the pad was likely from trying to extinguish the blaze.

“Whatever happened there, it blew up and you’re looking at the smouldering remains of what used to be there,” David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told The Associated Press.

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Unsuccessful launches by Iran

The exact type of the rocket that failed on August 29 is unclear. The circular pad previously had been used to launch a type of two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket known as the 'Safir', which was relatively small and could carry one small satellite into the orbit. Earlier this month, Iran also claimed one such satellite, known as 'Nahid-1', was ready to be launched.

As informed by Iran's Information and Communication Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, 'Nahid-1' is a telecommunication satellite. It is reportedly Iran's first foldable solar panel which is supposed to be in a low orbit around the Earth for some two-and-a-half months. Minister Jahromi did not discuss the apparent rocket explosion but asserted the Nahid-1 was safe.

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"Apparently, some reports say the third attempt for putting a satellite into orbit has been unsuccessful," the Minister wrote. "Nahid-1 is fine, indeed. It is now in a laboratory and reporters can come and see it."

Iran also suffered failed launches of 'Payam' in January and 'Doosti' in February. Tehran planned three launches in the year 2019, two for satellites that do remote-sensing work and another that handles communications. The January launch involved a Simorgh rocket whereas the February one employed a different booster, 'the Safir'.

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The US opposes Iran

The US alleges that such launches defy the U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran claims that it does not seek nuclear weapons and its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component. Tehran also says it doesn't violate the U.N. as it only "called upon" Tehran not to conduct such tests. Tensions have been high between both the countries since President Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from Iran's nuclear deal over a year ago and imposed sanctions, including on Iran's oil industry. Iran began to break the accord itself by trying to push Europe to help it sell oil abroad. 

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(Inputs from AP)