The Iranian regime announced it has launched a rocket into space carrying three research devices, the country’s state television reported on Thursday. Ahmad Hosseini, an Iranian defense ministry spokesman, said the satellite-bearing rocket named Simorgh, or “Phoenix,” had launched the three cargoes at an altitude of 292 miles (470 km) and at a speed of 7,350 meters (4.5 miles) per second. “The intended research objectives of this launch were achieved,” Hosseini said, in comments broadcast on state television. “This was done as a preliminary launch … we will have an operational launch soon,” the spokesman added, without further clarifying whether the devices had successfully entered Earth’s orbit. Previous launches conducted by the Islamic regime have drawn rebukes from the United States. Last year, the regime successfully launched its first-ever military satellite into orbit, drawing sharp criticism from Washington. The U.S. State Department, Space Force, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond …