Iran's ballistic prowess irks EU, US 

Iran was one of the dominant issues as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received the British and German foreign ministers, David Miliband and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on Tuesday (3 February). 

The separate meetings took place hours after Iranian television aired footage of the Omid (Hope) satellite being sent into space, in a launch clearly timed to mark the 30th anniversary celebrations of the 1979 Islamic revolution. 

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed the launch as a historic event, aimed at "expanding monotheism, peace and justice". Iranian state television said the ballistic missile technology used to launch the satellite was meant for peaceful purposes only. 

The move by Iran fuelled Western worries over the country's nuclear ambitions. It also challenges US President Barack Obama's intention to abandon a Europe-based controversial missile shield project, favoured by his predecessor George W. Bush. 

Reuters quoted an unnamed US national security official, who downplayed the imminent threat for the Western world. "The satellite technology they have deployed is probably not state of the art, but for the Iranians this is an important symbolic step forward," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

It is unclear what Iran intends to use the satellite for, and the United States is still trying to learn more about it, the US security official added. 

However, asked if the launch could have a strategic or tactical impact on the region, the official explained that "this particular satellite launch does not appear to be a game changer at all". 

He said the satellite had a low orbit and noted that some satellites only spend a short time aloft. "This one may fit into that category," he said. 

(With agencies.)