Iran has successfully launched three satellites into space, marking the latest in a program aimed at improving Tehran’s ballistic missiles. The launch successfully utilized Iran’s Simorgh rocket, a technology that has faced numerous failures in the past.

The satellites were named Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1, with Mahda being a research satellite and Kayhan and Hatef being nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communication respectively. The Simorgh program has had five failed launches in a row.

The US has criticized Iran’s satellite launches, citing a UN Security Council resolution, and urged Tehran to avoid nuclear weapon-related activities.

The US intelligence community’s 2023 threat assessment suggests that Iran’s development of satellite launch vehicles shortens the timeline for developing an intercontinental ballistic missile due to its similar technology. The US government did not immediately acknowledge launch.