Russia Concerned Over Iran’s Space Program

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Losyukov told reporters in Moscow on February 6 that his country is concerned about Iran’s recent firing of a missile into space, AFP reported (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” February 5, 2008). Iranian officials have described the rocket as “exploratory,” and say it was intended to pave the way for a satellite launch later this year. Losyukov said the rocket launch is of concern to other states and raises suspicions concerning Iran’s “possible desire to create a nuclear weapon.”

In Israel, Mossad intelligence chief Meir Dagan informed the Israeli Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on February 4 that Iran may acquire nuclear bombs within three years, AFP reported.

Israel has been skeptical of a 2007 U.S. intelligence report that stated that Iran probably stopped its suspected nuclear-weapons program in 2003 (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” January 30, 2008). Dagan added that Iran will probably continue to supply the Hamas administration in Gaza with rockets intended for use against Israel.

On February 5, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni asked EU parliamentarians visiting Jerusalem to push for tougher EU sanctions on Iran, Radio Farda reported, citing agency reports. She said the EU should not consider itself safe, as Iran is developing missiles with a 4,000-kilometer range, which she said are intended to carry “unconventional” warheads.

Source Radio Free Europe

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