TEHRAN, Iran (January 28, 2013)--Iranian state TV is reporting that the country has successfully sent a monkey into space in what's described as another step toward Tehran's goal of a manned space flight.

The report Monday said the monkey was sent up in a Pishtam, or Explorer, rocket to an altitude of 72 miles, but provided no other details on the timing or location of the launch.

It said the monkey was returned safely to earth.

Iran says it wants to send an astronaut into space as part of its ambitious aerospace program.

In 2010, Iran said it launched a rocket into space carrying a mouse, turtle and worms.

The U.S. and its allies, however, worry that technology from the space program could also be used to develop long-range missiles that could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads.