Iran says it conducted successful space launch in programme criticised by West

Iran conducted the launch using its Simorgh programme, a satellite-carrying rocket that had had a series of failed launches (Alamy/PA)

Iran said on Friday it conducted a successful space launch, the latest for its programme the West alleges improves Tehran’s ballistic missile plans.

Iran conducted the launch using its Simorgh programme, a satellite-carrying rocket that had had a series of failed launches, at Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport in rural Semnan province. That is the site of Iran’s civilian space programme.