Iran launched a rocket carrying a satellite on Thursday -- but there was no indication the Islamic Republic was able to put the satellite in orbit, a U.S. official and U.S. military spokesman told Fox News.
The launch of the Iranian Simorgh rocket, at around 2 p.m. local time, had been anticipated by defense officials.
The Joint Space Operations Center “has not detected any additional objects in space,” according to Capt. Brook DeWalt, a spokesman at U.S. Strategic Command, making it unlikely Iran put a satellite into orbit. Iran's official media claimed the launch was successful.
Iran has never successfully placed a satellite into orbit. Simorgh means “phoenix” in Persian.
Thursday's launch comes two days after a U.S. Navy warship fired warning shots at an Iranian patrol boat in the Persian Gulf, the first such episode since President Trump took office.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.