Iran Raps West for Militarizing Outer Space

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday lashed out at the West for its military activities in space and outer space in violation of international rules and regulations.

“What the westerners are now doing in the space is taking actions to somehow militarize the space, which is in violation of international conventions,” Vahidi said on Saturday, adding that violation of international rules and principles by the West is not a new development.

He said the westerns are in the habit of non-compliance with international regulations, “and they are in war with different countries through multiple methods”.

“We do not approve of the militarization of the space and believe that it runs counter to some international procedures and principles and we are against it,” the minister underscored.

Vahidi’s remarks were not the first time Iran has voiced its concern about the militarization of the space.

In October 2009, Iranian Deputy Envoy to the United Nations Eshaq Ale-Habib expressed the country’s deep concern over militarization of outer space by the US which may result in a potential arms race.

The international community should increase its efforts to ensure that the exploration and use of outer space would only lead to peaceful purposes, Ale-Habib told the participants at the meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Forth Committee at the time.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to work with the international community in preventing militarization of the outer space, he added at the meeting.