Iran successfully launched the Chamran-1 satellite into a 550-kilometer orbit using the Qaem-100 rocket, developed by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. This launch, the first under President Masoud Pezezhkian following the death of his predecessor, is part of a controversial program that Western nations fear contributes to Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. While Iranian officials hailed the launch as a success, there has been no independent verification of its success or visual evidence provided. The launch occurs amid heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and concerns over Iran's nuclear advancements. The United States has reiterated that such satellite launches defy a UN Security Council resolution, warning that they could be a cover for ballistic missile development. Iran maintains that its space program is for peaceful purposes and asserts its right to technological advancement.