US observed failed Iranian satellite launch

The US observed a failed attempt by Iran to launch a satellite into orbit, Pentagon officials have told CNN.

"U.S. Space Command is aware of the Iranian rocket launch failure which occurred early June 12th," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Uriah Orland said in a statement.

It is unclear which rocket was used in the failed launch but one expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Affairs at Monterey suggested it was likely to be the Simorgh rocket, a two-state space launch vehicle.

Tehran has denied claims that the launch failed, according to Mehr news agency. Iran's previous attempts at launching satellites into orbit have been unsuccessful, either exploding at the launchpad or breaking down at a later stage.

Satellite imagery from the second half of June showed increased activity at Imam Khomeini Spaceport, including the presence of fuel containers, support vehicles and a mobile platform. This suggests another launch may be attempted soon, according to experts.

The failed launch comes as negotiations to bring Washington back into the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as JCPOA, are ongoing in Vienna.

It also comes President Hassan Rouhani hands power to Ebrahim Raisi, the country's ultraconservative judiciary chief, set to be the first Iranian leader taking the helm while sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses.

Opponents of the Iranian regime see satellite launches as a provocation, given that the rockets are based on technology that could possibly be used for launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).