Iran has launched its first domestically-manufactured satellite into orbit, reports say.
An Iranian news network, IRINN, showed footage of what it said was a communications satellite named Safir-e Omid (Hope Envoy) being launched.
The pictures were accompanied by patriotic songs and music.
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Long-held ambition
Footage aired on IRINN (Islamic Republic of Iran News Network) showed the launch of the rocket in darkness.
The presenter said that the satellite launch was a trial which was successful. State and military officials confirmed that the launch had taken place.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was at the launch, said one report.
Iran has long pursued its own space programme.
In October 2005 a Russian-made Iranian satellite named Sina-1 was put into orbit by a Russian rocket.
Sunday's launch comes amid a long-running dispute over Iran's nuclear activities.
The US and some European countries have demanded that Iran curtail uranium enrichment - but Iran protests that its purposes are peaceful and says it has a right to continue.
(BBC)
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