In this photo released by the Iranian Defense Ministry on Dec. 6, 2024, the Simorgh, or "Phoenix," rocket is launched at Iran's Imam Khomeini spaceport in rural Semnan province.
Source: Iranian Defense Ministry/AP
Iran's Space Program Is Growing Stronger Despite US Sanctions
With Russia's help, the Islamic Republic is building its ability to launch satellites, rockets and, the US fears, ballistic missiles.
Iran’s southeastern seaport of Chabahar is a popular tourist destination renowned for its cliff-lined beaches and rugged, treeless peaks known locally as “Martian mountains.” Soon the region will have more than just a poetic connection to outer space.
For years, construction has been underway to transform the sun-drenched coastal town into an economic hub, including a spaceport that’s set to open this year. The plan is to build the equivalent of Florida’s Cape Canaveral to anchor the Islamic Republic’s space ambitions.