Iran’s attempt to launch a satellite failed to reach orbit, the country’s telecommunications minister has said.

The rocket carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the “necessary speed” in the third stage of its launch, Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi told Iranian state television.

Mr Jahromi said the rocket had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third. He did not elaborate on what caused the failure, but promised that Iranian scientists would continue their work.

It came after Iran ignored US warnings to avoid undertaking three planned rocket launches Washington said would violate a UN Security Council resolution because they use ballistic missile technology.

The US is concerned the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Payam failed to reach ‘necessary speed’ in third stage of its launch (Reuters)

In Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly condemned the launch, accusing Tehran of lying and alleging that the “innocent satellite” was actually “the first stage of an intercontinental missile” Iran is developing in violation of international agreements.

Iran, which considers its space programme a matter of national pride, has said the launches and missile tests were not violations and would continue.

Payam was intended to be used for imaging and communications purposes and was mounted with four cameras, according to a report on the telecommunications ministry’s website.

It was intended to stay at an altitude of 500km for approximately three years.

The Payam satellite was seen in the sky after it was launched, and had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third (Reuters) (REUTERS)

It is one of two satellites Iran plans to send into orbit, the other named Doosti. Payam means “message” in Farsi, while Doosti means “friendship”.

Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space.

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Iran usually displays space achievements in February during the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. This year marks the Middle East nation’s 40th anniversary of the revolution amid increasing pressure from the US under Donald Trump’s administration.