Iran has successfully launched a Kavoshgar 3 rocket into space.

The rocket, an experimental capsule also, carried a mouse, two turtles and worms during the mission and successfully returned to earth with the animals, according to the BBC.

The rocket, which is propelled by liquid fuel, is a testing device for space systems that rises about 100km above the surface of the earth before returning on a parachute.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by the BBC as saying that the country was going to send a satellite 500km from earth.

“The next steps are 700m and 1,000km,” he said.

The launch has raised concerns in the US which suspects the country of progressing its ballistic missile capabilities for military use under the façade of an aerospace programme.