North Korea says its development of a space program is legitimate and is in line with global trends.

The North said no one has the right to stop it from pursuing a peaceful space program, noting Iran’s successful launch of the satellite “Omid” earlier this month.

The North’s Korean Central Broadcasting Station said Iran’s satellite launch demonstrated the power of the Middle Eastern country, adding that no country has a proprietary right to develop and utilize space.

The broadcaster said Pyongyang has established an agency for space research and is a currently running a promotion of space projects for civilian purposes.