U.S. Officials Unhappy Iran Put a Monkey Into Space

But ... but ... ballistic missiles!

U.S. officials are not exactly welcoming Iran's revelation this week that the Islamic Republic has sent a monkey into space and brought the creature back to Earth safely.

The report by Iranian media recalled for many the early days of space flight, when both the United States and the Soviet Union launched animal-bearing spacecraft as a prelude to human space travel.

But State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington on Monday that the reported mission raises concerns about possible Iranian violations of a United Nations  ban on development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

"If they have launched anything using ballistic missile technology, it's of serious concern," Nuland said.