France on Monday condemned a bid by Iran to put a satellite in space, urging Tehran to abide by international obligations on its controversial ballistic missile program.
“France condemns this launch which calls on technologies used for ballistic missiles and, in particular, intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement after Iran announced it “successfully” launched a satellite Sunday but failed to put it into orbit.
Recalling Iran’s obligations under a 2018 UN Security Council resolution, the ministry added: “Iran’s ballistic program hurts regional stability and affects European security. France calls on Iran to fully respect its international obligations in this matter.”
Washington has long raised concerns in the past about Tehran’s satellite program, saying the launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 amounted to a violation of limits on its ballistic missiles.
The Zafar -- “Victory” in Persian -- satellite was launched on a Simorgh carrier rocket but failed to reach orbit.
Also Read
-
Iran to launch satellite which US says is cover for missile program
Iran will launch a satellite on Sunday, a government minister said, as part of a fledgling program the United States says is a cover for ballistic ... Middle East -
Iran rocket launch fails to put satellite into orbit: State TV
An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the US claims helps ... Middle East -
Three doctors sentenced to flogging in Iran for ‘insulting’ cleric
Three medical doctors have been sentenced to flogging in Iran on charges of “insulting” a controversial cleric who denounces modern ... Middle East
