A Russian rocket has successfully taken two Iranian satellites into orbit, highlighting the increasing collaboration between Moscow and Tehran.
The Soyuz rocked launched from the Vostochny launchpad in eastern Russia and successfully deployed its payload into the intended orbit just nine minutes after takeoff on Tuesday. Alongside the two Iranian satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, it also carried two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller ones.
The Iranian satellites marked the first launch conducted for the country's private sector. In 2022, a Russian rocket had previously launched an Iranian Earth observation satellite called Khayyam, built in Russia at Tehran's request, and in February, another Iranian satellite named Pars-1 was also put into orbit by Russia.
This launch occurs amidst expanding relations between Russia and Iran across various sectors. Ukraine and Western nations have accused Tehran of supplying Moscow with hundreds of explosive drones for use in the Ukraine conflict, as well as assisting in the establishment of their production in Russia. Both Moscow and Tehran have denied these drone deliveries, which have enabled an ongoing series of long-range drone attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
