Science and Technology

Radiofarda – Iraqi journalists, activists and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions. Parties, armed groups and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed “electronic armies,” which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors. These online rivalries …

VOA – The United States has imposed its first-ever sanctions against Iran’s space agency, accusing it of disguising a missile program. “The United States will not allow Iran to use its space launch program as cover to advance its ballistic missile program,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. The new sanctions affect the Iran Space Agency, the Iran Space …

VOA – Iran is for the first time acknowledging that a rocket explosion took place at its Imam Khomeini Space Center, with an official saying a technical malfunction caused the blast. Government spokesman Ali Rabiei made the statement on Monday in comments broadcast by Iranian state television. He said the explosion caused no fatalities and also that officials had found no sign …

radiofarda – In a new report the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced Friday that the Islamic Republic has remained in violation of limitations set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. “Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium still exceeds the amount allowed by the JCPOA,” the agency …

rferl.org – An Iranian official has said that a rocket exploded on its launch pad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center ahead of a planned launch, the apparent third failed launch this year by Tehran. An Iranian official quoted by Reuters said the incident was caused by “some technical issues and it exploded but our young scientists are working to …

radiofarda – DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a satellite launch criticized by the U.S. apparently exploded on its launch pad Thursday, satellite images show, suggesting the Islamic Republic suffered its third failed launch this year alone. State media and officials did not immediately acknowledge the incident at the …

radiofarda – Iran’s defense minister has said his country’s pursuit of satellite deployments is “a normal endeavor”, after several reports in international media about an impending launch by Tehran. General Amir Hatami told the official news website IRNA, “The Defense Ministry is continuing its research regarding launching rockets and satellites based on a codified program” and when some observers notice …

radiofarda – Lebanese Hezbollah reiterated on Tuesday it will retaliate against Israel after drones crashed in southern suburbs of Beirut; but a new war remains unlikely, according to its deputy leader. “I rule out that the atmosphere is one of war, it is one of a response to an attack,” Sheikh Naim Qassem told Russia’s RT Arabic channel on Tuesday …

rferl.org – Iran may be preparing a third attempt this year to launch a space rocket, U.S. National Public Radio reports, citing satellite imagery it received from the commercial company Planet. The published image taken on August 24 shows Iran’s launchpad has been freshly painted bright blue at the Imam Khomeini Space Center. Earlier, it had a burn scar from …

radiofarda – The Islamic Republic of Iran is planning to work on introducing a new generation of uranium enriching centrifuges, a lawmaker told local media on Sunday August 18. The IR-8 Centrifuges are 20 times more powerful than the first-generation equipment Iran has been using for uranium enrichment. Hamid Reza Hajibabaee quoted the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Chief Ali Akbar …