Pentagon says Iran satellite launch a concern

TEHRAN, Iran - The launch of Iran's first domestically made satellite is a cause for concern, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Reuters quoted a U.S. military official as saying Tehran's space program may use technology that also could be used for ballistic missiles.

However, another U.S. national security official earlier described the launch as a step that has important symbolism but does not alter the region's strategic balance.

Although Iran's ambitious space program has worried many international observers, the security official told Reuters the satellite wasn't considered a "game changer".

"The satellite technology they have deployed is probably not state of the art, but for the Iranians this is an important symbolic step forward," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The comments came after Iran's president announced the country has successfully sent the satellite, called Omid, or hope in Farsi, into orbit.

State television showed footage of what it said was the nighttime liftoff of the rocket carrying the satellite at an unidentified location in Iran.

"This action does not convince us that Iran is acting responsibly to advance stability or security in the region," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

Intentions unclear
A U.S. counterproliferation official confirmed that Iran launched a satellite. "How they intend to use it remains to be seen, and there is a possibility that we're witnessing satellite technology in this instance that isn't too far removed from Sputnik 1957," he said on condition of anonymity to speak about intelligence gathering. "And how long the satellite can actually remain functional is a question that remains, literally and figuratively, up in the air."

In Jerusalem, the head of Israel's Space Agency, Zvi Kaplan, said initial reports show that a satellite was launched.

"We are not surprised because in this day and age of information and technology and with Iranian scientists studying abroad they can obtain the knowledge," he said.

Iran has long held the goal of developing a space program, generating unease among world leaders already concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Gibbs called any effort to develop missile delivery capability, continue an illicit nuclear program, or threaten Israel is an "acute concern to this administration." He also reiterated that the administration will use all elements of its national power to deal with Iran.

The United States and some of its allies suspect Iran is pursuing a covert nuclear program. Iran denies the charge, saying its atomic work is only for peaceful purposes such as power generation.

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