Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it launches 2nd satellite

By AMIR VAHDAT and JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it has launched a second reconnaissance satellite into space. The Guard said Tuesday it launched the Noor-2 into a low orbit around the Earth. Noor means “light” in Farsi. The Guard launched its first Noor satellite in 2020, revealing to the world that it runs its own space program. The launch comes amid ongoing talks in Vienna over restoring Iran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers. Iran’s top diplomat at the monthslong talks suddenly flew home late Monday for consultations, a sign of the growing pressure on Tehran as the negotiations appear to be nearing their end.