Iran says developing satellite rockets "nothing to do with military activities"

TEHRAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Wednesday that Iran's developing of satellite rockets has nothing to do with the country's military activities, Press TV reported.

"The satellite carriers have nothing to do with the subject of missiles, and constitute a completely non-defensive and non-military issue," Hatami was quoted as saying.

According to Hatami, a satellite might be used for defense-related purposes, but the carriers are totally non-defensive in nature.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday accused Iran of trying to improve its ballistic missile skills through the satellite launch and vowed to exert more pressure.