Iran has likely carried out an undeclared missile test

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iran probably carried out an undeclared missile test in his space of Imam Khomeini, the satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press showed Thursday, stressing the efforts of Tehran to maintain his weapon program despite The 12 -day war with Israel in June.

Iran has not officially recognized last week’s test in a circular cushion that hosted others major launches by the country’s civil space program. A single legislator in the Iranian Parliament, however, said, without proposing, that Tehran had tested a possible intercontinental ballistic missile.

The test and complaint raise concerns that Iran could try to extend the scope of its missiles while tensions remain high before United Nations sanctions, which are likely to be replicated This weekend on the Tehran nuclear program – because it also repairs missile sites that have been struck by the Israelis.

“Israel’s successes in the 12 -day war against Iranian missile attacks have strengthened for Teheran the importance of developing more ballistic missiles and better qualitative versions of them,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, analyst of the Washington Defense Foundation. The reflection group has long criticized Iran and was sanctioned by Tehran.

“Consider this part of Tehran’s efforts to get back better, and as quickly as possible,” he added.

Burning marks seen on the launch ramp

On September 18, Iranian social media users published images of the sky above the province of Semnan, showing what seemed to be a trait of rocket at sunset. Iranian officials did not recognize what caused the rest, and the Iranian state media was also not given the incident.

The satellite photos taken before that by Planet Labs PBC show the circular cushion of Imam Khomeini Spaceport – approximately 230 kilometers (145 miles) to the southeast of the Iranian capital, Teheran, in Semnan – painted in blue turned with red, white and green lines – The colors of the Iranian flag.

But in satellite images since September 18, the PAD seemed discolored, although it is not entirely clear before a more detailed planet image requested by the AP taken this Wednesday. This image shows important torchage brands, the model of which looked like Burning seen at the pad After the past launches. When the rockets launch, the flames of their engines pour over pads.

Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who studies missiles, said that the burning scale suggested by Iran launched a solid fuel missile because the burning aluminum oxide particles caused such brands.

North-south brands suggest that a breath deflector is also used to channel the flames, he said.

The claim of an intercontinental ballistic missile

Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of the Iranian Parliament, appearing on Saturday on Iranian state television, said the Islamic Republic launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday. He described it as a sign of Iran’s strength when he faces challenges from Israel and the West.

“We have neither abandoned an enrichment (nuclear), nor awarded to uranium to the enemy, nor back from our missile posts,” said Zanganeh, member of the Budget Committee of the Parliament of the Iranian Province of Khorasan Razavi.

“The day before, we have tested one of the most advanced missiles in the country, which, so far, had not been tested-and this test has been successful,” he said.

“In other words,” he added. “I mean that even under these conditions, we do a safety test for an intercontinental storage missile.”

Zanganeh did not explain where he obtained his information, and he provided no evidence in support of his assertion. The members of the Iranian Parliament have made exaggerated complaints in the past.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles generally have ranges greater than 5,500 kilometers (3,415 miles). Which would extend far beyond The range would have been authorized by the supreme Iranian chief of Ayatollah Ali Khameneiwhich is 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).

The 2,000-kilometer range includes a large part of the Middle East, including the military bases of Israel and American in the region. An intercontinental missile would at least put all of Europe within range. The central command of the American army, which oversees its operations in the Middle East, did not respond to a request for comments.

Questions remain on the launch

Despite the statements of the legislator, there are still many questions surrounding the launch – including what Iran has sent to the sky.

Iran has in the past used PAD to launch solid combustion missiles called ZuljanahFrom the name of an imam Hussein horse, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a key figure in the Shiite faith which was massacred with its fighters in Karbala in the 7th century.

Zuljanah can launch satellites in space. However, the fact that it uses solid fuel and is capable of reaching space has raised concerns from the American government that Iran could potentially build an intercontinental ballistic missile.

“If, as it is more and more alleged, the test was of a spatial launch vehicle, it represents a desire for Tehran to potentially threaten targets outside the Middle East, like the European continent and even the American fatherland,” said Taleblu.

These missiles can deliver nuclear weapons, but Iran long has maintained its nuclear program is peaceful. American intelligence agencies also assess that Iran does not actively pursue an atomic bomb, although it has enriched uranium up to 60% purity – a short technical step in the quality of arms quality of 90%. Iran should also miniaturize any possible nuclear bomb to put it at the top of a ballistic missile.

Iran does not officially recognize the launch and the erratic trail that was left behind, the probability is that the launch could have failed. Nor is there any recognition by the managers of the American space of Iran putting new satellites in space on September 18.

Iran may also use the launch to point out to the west that it will continue its missile program, despite sanctions and pressure – although without formal confirmation, it is not clear exactly what Tehran was trying to do.

“The problem is that so many things happen with Iran,” said Hinz. “It is difficult to say what is a coincidence and what is a model.”

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The writer Associated Press Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.