PressTV says Iran has launched a satellite carrying one rat, two turtles, and a whole can of worms into space.

According to state-run television, the Iranian government announced today the successful launch of a rocket carrying one rat, two turtles, and a handful of worms into space, giving Iranian President Mahmoud Amhadinejad the opportunity to crow that people are next. Western powers worry, however, that it won’t be astronauts, but missiles and atomic warheads that Iran is looking launch next.

The New York Times characterized the launch as “designed as a display of advancing missile technology”, adding that it comes at a time when the Islamic Republic is facing “challenges” left, right and center. Right now, Western powers are trying to keep Iran from pursuing its nuclear programme; internally, dissent has grown since the June elections, even as the government continues to use force and intimidation as a means of control; and all this as the 31st anniversary of the revolution approaches.

Doubtless, then, The Times meant it when it reported that Iran “successfully launched a can of worms” today, in more ways than one. But even as the missile launch is coded as vaguely threatening posturing, The Times noted that “paradoxically”, Ahmadinejad also said last night that Iran was ready to ship its enriched uranium abroad in exchange for nuclear fuel, apparently acquiescing to the demands of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Daily Mail characterized Ahmadinejad’s concession as “backing down”, but noted that the recent worm launch muddies the waters a bit; the paper also noted that US Vice President Joe Biden launched his own rocket last night, telling Tehran that it was “sowing the seed of their own destruction” in their continued crackdown on opposition voices.

The BBC reported today that the US is cautiously optimistic about Iran’s acceptance of the IAEA’s proposal, saying that “it would be welcome news.”