White House calls Iran rocket launch "unfortunate"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Monday said Iran's rocket launch was "unfortunate" and would only further isolate Tehran from the international community.

Iran launched a rocket designed to send a research satellite into orbit, Iranian state television said.

The United States suspects Iran of trying to master technology to build nuclear weapons and has been pressing allies to isolate Tehran until it gives up its suspected nuclear ambitions. Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian energy.

"It's unfortunate Iran continues to test ballistic missiles. This regime continues to take steps that only further isolate it and the Iranian people from the international community," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria)