Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced this morning that it has successfully launched its first military satellite into orbit.
According to a statement by the IRGC, the satellite named ‘Noor’ (meaning “light” in both Persian and Arabic) is currently orbiting 425 kilometers (264 miles) above the earth.
Footage released from the Iranian launch showed the satellite carrier was inscribed with a verse from the Koran often recited by Muslims while travelling, reading: “Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, as we could never have done it by our own efforts.”
Despite Tehran‘s declared triumph, TV7 is currently investigating whether the reported launch was indeed successful. If verified, the development marks attainment by the Islamic Republic of a significant tool in its evident pursuit of the development of nuclear weapons.