TEHRAN, Feb 4: Iran on Monday fired a rocket into space to mark the opening of its first space centre, triggering swift condemnation from the United States amid continued tensions over the Iranian nuclear drive.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the launch countdown before it blasted off to chants of “God is greatest” by an audience of officials in a control room, state TV reported.

“I saw this morning that Iran, again, tested a ballistic missile. It’s unfortunate that they continue to do that because it further isolates the country from the rest of the world,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The rocket is designed to carry Iran’s first locally-made research satellite next year, showing the country’s advances in ballistics.

“With the launch, Iran has joined the world’s top 11 countries possessing space technology to build satellites and launch rockets into space,” the television said.

Before the launch, Mr Ahmadinejad opened Irans first space centre, which includes an underground control station and space launch pad.

“We witness today that Iran has taken its first step in space very firmly, precisely and with awareness,” Mr Ahmadinejad said.

“The evil and dominant system’s most important instrument is humiliating people and nations by making them think that they are incapable,” he said.

The president also unveiled the country’s first domestically built satellite, called Omid (Hope).

State TV said the satellite took 10 years to build, and the official news agency IRNA reported that it would be launched into orbit sometime in roughly the next 12 months.—Agencies