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Iran confirms three of its satellites have passed pre-launch tests

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has opposed Iran's plans to send satellites into space stating that it defies a U.N. Security Council resolution.

Iran’s telecommunications minister has confirmed that three of the country’s new satellites have successfully passed pre-launch tests although he did not divulge a launch schedule, according to an AP report.

In a tweet, Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said: “Last night, Iranian satellites passed tests successfully.”

Iran has plans to launch Payam, a 90kg non-military satellite into a 500km orbit using an Iranian Simorgh satellite-carrier rocket.

In the meantime, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that Iran will be openly defying a UN Security Council resolution should it decide to launch the three satellites. The resolution states that Iran is not permitted to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Iran has clarified that the launch does not violate the resolution.