Tehran expressed regret Sunday over the death of six US astronauts in the space shuttle tragedy, saying politics should not get in the way of humanitarianism, however it made no mention of an Israeli astronaut who also died in the disaster.
"Iran distinguishes between the Iran-US political row, and scientific and humanitarian issues," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi told IRNA news agency.
He said Iran hoped that "such unfortunate events will not deter scientific centers from their attempts to explore the undiscovered secrets of Creation."
Asefi extended Iran's condolences to the "US and Indian astronauts" aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia which broke up Saturday. (Albawaba.com)
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