DHAKA: Iran’s president says the Islamic Republic has successfully sent a monkey into space for the second time, part of a program aimed at manned space flight.

Hassan Rouhani’s website said on Saturday that the rocket used liquid fuel for the first time, reports The Times of India.

It did not say when the launch took place or give other details.

Iran frequently claims technological breakthroughs that are impossible to independently verify. The Islamic Republic has said it seeks to send an astronaut into space as part of an ambitious aerospace program.

Iran said that it sent its first monkey into space in January. One of two official packages of photos of the simian space traveller depicted the wrong monkey, however, raising doubts among international observers as to whether the launch was as successful as reported.

BDST: 1445 HRS, DEC 14, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor