U.S. Says Iran Satellite Launch Failed, Tehran Claims Success

August 19, 2008 8:22 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A U.S. defense official said Tuesday that Iran's attempt to launch a satellite on Saturday failed, but Iranian officials denied it and said Tehran expected the contrary view from Washington.

The U.S. official, who declined to be identified, told Agence France-Presse that the Iranian satellite did not reach orbit.

"Iran's scientific achievements have always either been rejected by U.S. officials, or described as source of concern and doubt," Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said, according to Press TV. "To see them welcome Iran's progress and accept its achievements is what would have been surprising."

On Monday, Iran's defense minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the Safir-e Omid (Ambassador of Hope) rocket placed a dummy satellite into space. The launch was aimed at sending a locally-built telecommunications satellites in the near future.