Iran Satellite Launch Raises Tension, Says Miliband

The foreign secretary, David Miliband, expressed concern in Washington yesterday over Iran's claim to have broken into the global space race by launching its first home produced satellite into orbit.

Miliband, speaking after a meeting with the new US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said the launch could increase tension between Iran and the west.

Iran was one of the dominant issues in the hour-long meeting as Miliband and Clinton discussed President Barack Obama's offer to enter into direct negotiations with the Iranian leadership. The two met hours after Iranian state television showed footage of the Omid (Hope) satellite being sent into space in a launch clearly timed to mark the 30th anniversary celebrations of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"In another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanctions, Iran launched its first homemade Omid satellite into orbit," an Iranian TV report said. "It was carried into orbit by Iran-made satellite carrier Safir."

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hailed the launch as a historic event aimed at "expanding monotheism, peace and justice". The Iranians say the satellite is for telecommunications, but the US and Britain are concerned that it could be converted to a military use, helping with the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Miliband said: "Anything that adds to international tensions should be of concern."

Britain and other European countries have spent years putting together a "carrot and stick" strategy for Iran. Miliband insisted he had been given an assurance by Clinton that the offer of direct talks would not circumvent that approach.

Speaking to the press after their meeting, Clinton adopted a noticeably tougher line towards Iran than Obama, stressing the costs to Iran if it continues work on uranium enrichment, which the US and Britain see as a first step towards achieving a nuclear weapons capability.

Clinton also made a point of repeating the mantra about the "special relationship" between the UK and Britain. "It is often said the United States and Britain have enjoyed a special relationship. It is certainly special in my mind and one that has proven very productive," she said.

But there are potential tensions between the Obama administration and Europe, and Miliband and Clinton discussed one of them, protectionist trade measures Obama is proposing that would allow US infrastructure projects to be built only with US steel and other home-produced materials.

The two also discussed Afghanistan, with Clinton seeking promises from Britain and other European ministers passing through Washington this week to send more troops.