Something new to worry about...

The launching of an Iranian satellite is worrying....

Western powers working to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions voiced "great concern" Tuesday over the Islamic Republic's technological leap in launching its first home-built satellite into orbit.

Iran's capability to launch satellites could "possibly lead to the development of ballistic missiles," US State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. "That's of great concern to us."

France also saw a worrisome link.

"The technology is very similar to ballistic capabilities," said foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier. "We can't but link this to the very serious concerns about the development of military nuclear capability."

Iran sent its Omid (Hope) satellite into space on Monday evening carried by the home-built Safir-2 space rocket, local news agencies reported.

A US official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, confirmed that "it appears that the Iranians conducted a launch of a low-orbit satellite."