Iran has successfully launched a live monkey into space, state news agency IRNA said on Monday.<br/> <br />There's been no independent confirmation of the report, which quoted a defense ministry statement.<br/> <br />In a move that has alarmed Israel and some Western leaders, IRNA said the launch coincided "with the days of" the Prophet Mohammad's birthday last week but gave no specific date.<br/> <br />The monkey was reportedly sent into space on a rocket, which reached a height of more than 120 kilometres before returning to earth, its "shipment intact".<br/> <br />Iran's state-run English language Press TV said the monkey was retrieved alive.
