Iranian launch -- EDITINT & SMOKEINT

FWIW:

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Aviation Week & Space Technology
February 25, 2008, p.27

Intelligence organizations in the U.S. and Israel are examining data
on Iranian rocket tests early this month to determine if the Iranians
tried and failed to launch their large new Safir space booster, and
then attempted to cover up the loss by launching a much smaller
sounding rocket that did reach space -- but not orbit. Analysts
believe there is some evidence for a launch failure because of the odd
editing of a launch video shown in connection with Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the launch site. Smoke is seen around
the large new fixed launch pad designed for the Safir, but little else
is shown after that except smoke trails in the sky that look a lot
like those associated with booster failures. Also curious are
convoluted statements by Iranian officials that led some international
news agencies to report Iran was receiving data from a satellite in
space. The transmissions lasted for only about 5 min. and came from
the sounding rocket also launched during Ahmadinejad's visit.