The US State Department said that Iran's launch of a space satellite was a "provocative action" that violates a United Nations resolution on ballistic missiles as well as the spirit of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Thursday that reports that Iran had launched a rocket carrying a satellite into space violated UN Security Council resolution 2231, which calls on Iran not to conduct any activity involving ballistic missiles that are designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Nauert said the United States regards the launch as "continued ballistic missile development" that is discouraged in the UN resolution.

"We consider this to be a provocative action, and a provocative action that undermines the security, the prosperity of those in the region and around the world as well."