Updated on
Summary
A rocket streaks into the sky at a test range in Iran. According to Tehran, the missile is designed to help carry satellites into space. It appeared to be launched from the back of a truck, and is bound to stoke Western concerns that such technology can also be used to deliver long-range nuclear warheads. Earlier Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited a much bigger rocket, the 87-tonne Simorgh. This vehicle is also designed to carry satellites into space. The display of rocket technology comes a year after Iran launched a domestically-made rocket into space for the first time. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, This was a huge breakthrough when we sent live creatures into space and we hope we can send our own astronauts into space soon. It also comes as Iran celebrates the 31st anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Meanwhile, the US White House has reacted to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks, saying it had held no discussion with Iran about a possible prisoner swap. We have not entered into any discussion with Iran about an exchange, National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer told.
