In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP) (Associated Press)TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s president said Thursday the Islamic Republic soon will send two new satellites into orbit using Iran-made rockets, despite U.S. concern the launch could help further develop its ballistic missiles. Iran typically displays achievements in its space program in February, during the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “Soon, in the coming weeks, we will send two satellites into space using our domestically-made rockets,” Rouhani said, without elaborating. Previously, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit over the past decade, and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.

Source: Washington Post January 10, 2019 07:28 UTC