THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian official says the country plans to launch another communications satellite in two years with no outside help.

Friday's remarks by Communications Minister Reza Taqipour come after the Italian company that helped build the satellite denied reports Italy would launch it on behalf of Tehran.

The denial followed an earlier statement from Iran's Aero Space Industries saying Tehran would use Italy to launch the satellite, named Mesbah, after waiting in vain for Russia to do the job.

Iran sent its first domestically made satellite - called Omid, or Hope in Farsi - into orbit in February.

It was a key step for Iran's ambitious space program that has world powers worried because the same rocket technology used to launch satellites can also deliver warheads.