Iran 'sends monkey to space for second time'

Iran says it has successfully sent a monkey into space for the second time this year as part of a programme aimed at manned space flight.

President Hassan Rouhani said the monkey - named Fargam, or Auspicious - returned from space in perfect health.

However, the success of the first monkey flight was disputed when a different animal was shown in images released after the landing.

Iran insisted that was not the case, saying archive images of another monkey tested for its suitability for the mission had been wrongly released.

Iran's space programme has raised concern among Western countries.

Some fear the technology could be used in ballistic missiles.

Iran is already under international scrutiny over the scope of its nuclear programme, which opponents say aims to develop nuclear weaponry. (BBC)