Russia Helps Israel Keep An Eye On Iran
MOSCOW, April 25 (Associated Press) — Russia launched a satellite for Israel on Tuesday that the Israelis say will be used to monitor Iran's nuclear activities.
The Eros B satellite was launched from Svobodny, in eastern Russia, said Aleksei Kuznetsov, a spokesman for the Russian space forces.
The Itar-Tass news agency in Russia and Channel 10 television in Israel reported that the launching was successful.
The satellite is intended to help Israel gather information on Iran's nuclear program and its long-range missiles, which are capable of striking Israel, said an Israeli military official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"The most important thing in a satellite is its ability to photograph and its resolution," the official said. "This satellite has very high resolution."
He added that it could take up to 10 days to assess the quality of the images transmitted by the satellite.
Israel has for years regarded Iran as a threat, disputing Tehran's claims that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only.
The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has questioned Israel's right to exist.
Earlier this month, speaking in Tehran at a conference on the Palestinians, Mr. Ahmadinejad said Israel was a "constant threat" and predicted that it was on the verge of "being eliminated." His comments followed his remark last year about "wiping Israel off the map."
The Eros B satellite was launched from Svobodny, in eastern Russia, said Aleksei Kuznetsov, a spokesman for the Russian space forces.
The Itar-Tass news agency in Russia and Channel 10 television in Israel reported that the launching was successful.
The satellite is intended to help Israel gather information on Iran's nuclear program and its long-range missiles, which are capable of striking Israel, said an Israeli military official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"The most important thing in a satellite is its ability to photograph and its resolution," the official said. "This satellite has very high resolution."
He added that it could take up to 10 days to assess the quality of the images transmitted by the satellite.
Israel has for years regarded Iran as a threat, disputing Tehran's claims that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only.
The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has questioned Israel's right to exist.
Earlier this month, speaking in Tehran at a conference on the Palestinians, Mr. Ahmadinejad said Israel was a "constant threat" and predicted that it was on the verge of "being eliminated." His comments followed his remark last year about "wiping Israel off the map."
posted by Hanan Elbadry at 9:49 AM
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