Iran said on Monday (January 28) it had launched a live monkey into space, seeking to show off missile systems that have alarmed the West because the technology could potentially be used to deliver a nuclear warhead.<br/> <br />The Defence Ministry said the space launch of the monkey coincided "with the days of" the Prophet Mohammad's birthday, which was last week, but gave no date, according to a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA.<br/> <br />The launch was "another giant step" in space technology and biological research "which is the monopoly of a few countries", the statement said.<br/> <br />State television showed a rocket launch and a monkey being greeted by a jubilant crowd after a helicopter landing.<br/> <br />The Defence Ministry announced the launch as world powers sought to agree a date and venue with Iran for resuming talks to resolve a standoff with the West over Tehran's contested nuclear programme before it degenerates into a new Middle East war.
