Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi Wednesday dismissed Western concerns over its space program, the satellite Press TV website reported.
Vahidi dismissed the claims that Iran's space program is a cover for developing missiles that could reach Europe and the United States, Xinhua reported.
"Our space program is just a link in the chain of national development," Vahidi told participants at a space conference in Tehran.
"Those countries who express concerns over the militarization of space are the ones who rely heavily on satellites for their military operations," he said.
He said these countries "use spy satellites against other nations and seek to develop armed space stations."
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi has said that the country's newly launched satellite serves no military purpose.
Earlier this month, Tehran announced that the Omid (Hope) lightweight telecommunications satellite, its first home-made satellite, had been successfully sent into space by the Iranian- produced satellite carrier Safir 2.
In reaction, the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama linked the new Iran's developments with its nuclear disputes.
France has also expressed deep concern over Iran's recent step towards developing its home-made satellite.
The United States and Israel have consistently refused to rule out the possibility of military strikes against Iran over its refusal to halt its nuclear program, accusing Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program.
Iran has denied the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.