Translated material
AP: Rocket Explodes at Iranian Space Center
A rocket appears to have exploded on the launch pad of Iran's space center in Semnan province, the Associated Press reported, citing a satellite image showing black smoke and charred parts of the rocket.
Iran was planning to launch a rocket with the Nahid 1 satellite in the coming days. It is not entirely clear whether the explosion was related to this launch.
The Associated Press notes that this is the third unsuccessful Iranian missile launch this year.
Anonymous Iranian and US officials confirmed to Reuters that a rocket that was being prepared for launch exploded on the launch pad.
The Iranian authorities did not comment on this.
- US officials have previously opposed Iran's missile launches, saying they violate a UN Security Council resolution calling on Tehran not to carry out any ballistic missile-related activities.
- Relations between Iran and the United States have deteriorated sharply in recent months after several incidents involving tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Each side shot down a drone.
- In July, Iran increased its uranium enrichment levels as the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal .