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Models of the Iranian made Navid (Good Tidings), Melli Toloo (National Sunrise) and Mesbah 2 satellites - Source: Reuters -
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Iran's launch of a rocket capable of carrying a satellite was a "provocative act," according to the White House.
Asked for a reaction to Iran's announcement that it had launched a Kavoshgar-3 rocket , White House spokesman Bill Burton said the United States was still checking to see if the launch had taken place.
"A launch like that is obviously a provocative act," Burton says.
"But the president believes that it is not too late for Iran to do the right thing - come to the table with the international community and live up to its international obligations."
On Wednesday, Iran announced it had launched a domestically made satellite-carrier rocket carrying live animals.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the launch a huge breakthrough which help break the global domineering system - a reference to Iran's Western foes.
The Islamic Republic hoped to send astronauts into space soon, he said, speaking at a ceremony unveiling new satellite and space technology.
Western nations fear Iran is seeking to build nuclear bombs and are concerned that the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch warheads.
