US Approach in securitization and threat Construction Iran's space program

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Student of Regional Studies (European Studies), Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The successful launch of the Noor satellite into space (April 2020) was met with a strong response from the United States and some of its allies to Iran's violation of legal rules and international standards. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stated that the development of its space program is based on the norms of international law and within the framework of conventions and treaties related to space law and has legal and international legitimacy; For this reason, it will continue to develop and expand its space program. This article examines the legitimacy of Iran's space program from the perspective of international rules, law, and standards, and argues that the main purpose of the United States is to threaten Iran's space program within the framework of a strategy of maximum pressure to build an international consensus against Iran. Research findings show that the United States is focusing on part of Iran's space program, which is dedicated to the technology of transmitting and sending satellites into space, seeks to portray Iran's actions in field of Satellite Launch Vehicle(SLV) as a cover for the development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying nuclear warheads, and thus to represent Iran's space program as a threat to international peace and security. The two main pillars of this US strategy focus on Iran's long-range SLV capability (aimed at representing it as intercontinental ballistic missiles) and its ability to carry satellite or cargo by SLV (aimed at representing it as ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads).

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References

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Strategic Studies of public policy
Volume 10, Issue 35
Special issue of foreign and health policy
September 2020
Pages 110-132

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