Iran wants Turkey to take part in its space project

Photo: Pagina/12 Argentina. Iranian president invited Turkey

Lucas Farioli / Istanbul

Iran has invited again Turkey to take part in work on the Islamic Republic's space programme, which aims to put a man in space by 2017, the Turkish newspaper Habertürk has reported.
Western countries which suspect Iran might be trying to build nuclear bombs are concerned the long-range ballistic technology used to propel Iranian satellites into orbit could also be used to launch nuclear warheads ovr sensitive targets such as Israel or the American military bases in the Gulf. Tehran denies such suggestion claiming its nuclear and space programme are for paceful means only.
Teurkish Habertürk alleged that Turkey had not formally responded to the Persian proposal. However Turkish officials were unavailable for declarations on this topic, and there was no immediate comment from Tehran.
Iran has regarded its space programme, which test-launched a satellite rocket this year, as a matter of national pride crucial to achieve technological independence.
The reported proposal to cooperate on the sensitive programme would underscore growing trust between Turkey and Iran as the states seek to strengthen diplomatic and business ties.However Turkish double rethoric on Iranian-Western relations do not make likely this event to take place.
Habertürk said the offer was made at a summit of business leaders and government officials last month as part of a series of business deals.
Iran, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, insists its nuclear programme is for paceful means such as generating electricity. Turkey, along with Brazil, signed a uranium swap deal earlier this year as they hoped would stave off another round of UN. sanctions on Iran.
The deal was not successful, and the UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions in June over the disputed nuclear programme. Despite sanctions, Turkey has said it wants to increase trade ties with the Islamic Republic as Turkey buys cheap Iranian energy to power its textile factories across the border.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made clear that with or without Turkey Iran planned to bring forward its deadline for sending an astronaut into space from a previous date of 2019.