Iran says second monkey sent into space in latest step toward manned flight

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's president says the Islamic Republic has successfully sent a monkey into space for the second time, part of a program aimed at manned space flight.

Hassan Rouhani's website said Saturday that the rocket used liquid fuel for the first time. It did not say when the launch took place or give other details.

Iran frequently claims technological breakthroughs that are impossible to independently verify. The Islamic Republic has said it seeks to send an astronaut into space as part of an ambitious aerospace program.

Iran said that it sent its first monkey into space in January. One of two official packages of photos of the simian space traveler depicted the wrong monkey, however, raising doubts among international observers as to whether the launch was as successful as reported.