Article Posted on : - Feb 07, 2011

An unrelated photo of Iranian satellites

TEHRAN (AP): Iran says it has built four new domestically produced satellites as part of a space programme that's worrying other nations.

State TV showed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiling the satellites - Fajr, Rasad, Zafar and Amir Kabir-1 - Monday at a ceremony in Tehran.

State TV described them as research satellites but did not provide details. Iran says it has launched at least two satellites and has none in orbit now.

Many nations in the West and Middle East fear Iran's space programme could also bolster its ballistic missile program and ability to conduct space-based surveillance.

The US and other countries have cited fears that Iran's nuclear programme and missile programme could allow it to target Europe and Israel with atomic weapons.