Iran launch site 'likely for testing ballistic missiles', analysts say

Pictures of the newly discovered site have been published weeks after the Iranian government said it was building new space launch bases for its domestic satellite programme.

The new site is close to Iran’s first space centre in the northern Semnan province, but analysts believe it is designed to test ballistic missiles rather than launch space rockets.

A picture of the base taken last month and published by IHS Jane’s Military and Security Assessments shows a 23m tall launch tower sitting on a launch pad measuring 200m by 140m. The picture also shows a 125m long exhaust deflector.

Read more