The United States expressed on Tuesday its great concern over reports that Iran launched its first home-built satellite into orbit.
The launch could "possibly lead to the development of ballistic missiles," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at the daily press briefing.
Iran successfully sent its first domestically-made satellite into orbit late Monday, according to Iran's Press TV. The Omid lightweight telecommunications satellite was sent into space by the home-developed carrier Safir 2.
"U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 prohibits Iran from engaging in missile-related activity," said Wood, adding that "developing a space launch vehicle that could put a satellite into orbit could possibly lead to development of a ballistic missile system."
According to Wood, the Obama administration expects to further strengthen cooperation with Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, known as the P5+1, on the Iran nuclear issue.
"It's of great concern what Iran has been doing, ... Everyone can do better with regard to trying to limit Iran's ability to act in these two particular areas of concern, with regard to missile technology and its nuclear program," said the spokesman.
Senior diplomats of the P5+1 will meet on Wednesday in Wiesbaden of Germany.
(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2009)