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failed, while at the same time sparking renewed accusations from the US that Iran’s space programme is used as a cover for clandestine ballistic missile development objectives with the ultimate aim of achieving a missile that could take a nuclear payload, something that is refuted by Tehran. The last attempted launch was in February when there was a failure to place communications satellite “Zafar 1”, or “Victory 1”, into orbit after the rocket carrying it did not achieve the required speed, according to Iranian officials. IRGC Commander-in Chief, Major General Hossein Salami, said the successful launch of “Noor 1” would elevate Iran’s defence capabilities. “The acquisition of this rising technology that sends us to space and enhances the domain of our capabilities is a strategic achievement,” Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.
The apparent satellite success was also hailed by Iran's Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. "Sincere congratulations to the IRGC Air Force for this great national achievement," he tweeted, adding he had visited the launch site three weeks ago. "They were great," he said of the satellite and what he described as a "three-stage solid fuel" launcher.
Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.
9.1.5​ Transport sector news
Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan agree transport protocol
The transport ministers of Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan held a joint video-conference on May 12 in which they agreed on joint transport protocols amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Iran Chamber reported on May 13.
Iran’s transport minister Mohammad Eslami confirmed on both Iranian and Turkmen state TV that an agreement was reached, saying: “We agreed in the meeting to have joint protocols for controlling coronavirus in order to resume exchanges between the three countries.”
Among the measures agreed was the setting up of disinfection facilities for trains and trucks crossing the border between Iran and Turkmenistan.
Eslami said that a series of 20-metre-long tunnels will be set up within the next 10 days on the border between the two neighbours to allow trade to resume after nearly two months of border closure.
He said Iran and Turkmenistan signed a memorandum of understanding to share transportation data through electronic means.
The Iranian minister said Uzbekistan was invited to join the mechanism to further ease the transit of goods from Iran to Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan. Eslami said Uzbekistan also agreed to clear border restrictions for a group of Iranian trucks that have been stuck in the country because of the closure of crossings into Turkmenistan.
He added that the agreements reached on May 12 came after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke with his Turkmen and Uzbek counterparts last week to help to ease border controls and restore trade between the three states.
Limited trade has made it through the borders in recent weeks, according to reports from the three countries.
On May 5, Uzbekistan said it would permit​ ​Iranian trucks to enter the country​, media in Iran reported.
Citizen journalist reports from​ ​Turkmenistan reported several shipments​ of Iranian packaged foods and vegetables filling shelves at local supermarkets at the end of April.
45​ IRAN Country Report June 2020 www.intellinews.com