By Xinhua
Moscow : Iran has no military purposes with its recent rocket test launch, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholamreza Ansari said here on Friday.
“We do not pursue military goals within our space research,” the diplomat said.
Iran would launch the satellite Hope next month, he said.
“This rocket was fully built in Iran, including the launch installation and other parts,” he said.
On Feb. 4, Iran test-fired the Explorer-1 rocket into space, which is designed to launch the Hope space research satellite.
“With them (satellites) we receive more reliable information about climate conditions around Iran,” he told a press conference.
“We intend to use the assistance of other countries for further climate research and climate control,” Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying.
“Russia is our friend, and if necessary, we are ready to give an exhaustive explanation over the missile launch if we feel Russia is anxious,” the diplomat said.
Earlier this week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov expressed concern over Iran’s actions.
Russia and other countries are concerned with any move related to the creation of potential weapons on the part of Iran, he said.
Iran’s move adds to the common suspicions over the country’s possible intention to create nuclear weaponry, a component of which are long-range missiles.