The United States denounced Iran after the regime reportedly underwent a second failed space launch in less than a month “in defiance of the international community” by developing and testing ballistic missiles.
“Space-launch vehicles use technologies that are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in ballistic missiles, including in Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs),” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino on Thursday. “This attempted launch furthers Iran’s ability to eventually build such a weapon that threatens our allies.”
The development came as Iran launched a satellite-carrying rocket into space last month that successfully passed its first and second phases, but did not reach “necessary speed” in the third stage of its release.
In light of the failed launches, the State Department accused Iran each time of violating U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which adopted the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
“The United States will continue to be relentless in building support around the world to confront the Iranian regime’s reckless ballistic-missile activity, and we will continue to impose sufficient pressure on the regime so that it changes its malign behavior, including by fully implementing all of our sanctions,” said Palladino on Thursday.
