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DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. April 24, 2016, 10:43 AM (IDT)
American intelligence sources said Sunday they are not sure that Iran's April 19 launch of its new “Simorgh” intercontinental ballistic missile was for putting a satellite into orbit, as Tehran claims. They said it may have been intended to test the third stage of the ICBM and that the Iranians had no intention of launching a satellite.
US defense officials were earlier quoted as saying American intelligence services view the launch as a partial success although the missile did not reach orbit. The Simorgh is considered to be a main part of Iran's long-range missile development program.
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