Tehran has successfully launched a probe into space – with two turtles, a hamster and a worm on board. The Islamic republic also plans to unveil three new satellites on Wednesday – all part its ambitious independent space programme – which coincides with celebrations of the country’s 31st Islamic revolution anniversary. The development is a great concern to the US who fears that the country’s nuclear programme is at a threateningly advanced stage. Some experts think the Iranian nuclear programme and space programme are linked. Martin Navias, a senior research associate at the Centre for Defence Studies in the UK, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that “its one and the same technology – if you can put a satellite into space, you have the technology to make a very long range surface to surface ballistic missile”. “This is an extremely dangerous period … it challenges the balance of power and other countries will begin to react”, Navias said. Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker reports.

Source: Al Jazeera