Russian rocket launches Iranian satellites into orbit as Moscow, Tehran expand ties

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Last Updated07/11/2024

A Russian rocket blasted off successfully to carry a pair of Iranian satellites into orbit, a launch that reflected growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

On November 5, 2024, a Russian Soyuz rocket launched two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, marking a new phase of collaboration between Moscow and Tehran. This launch from Russia's Vostochny spaceport underscores expanding bilateral ties, including in the space sector, amid geopolitical tensions with the West.

Launch and Payload: The Soyuz rocket successfully deployed its payload, including two Russian Ionosphere-M satellites and several smaller satellites, including Iran’s Kowsar and Hodhod. These are the first Iranian satellites launched for the country's private sector.
Previous Iranian-Russian Launches: This is part of ongoing Russian support for Iran’s space ambitions. In recent years, Russia launched Iran's Khayyam satellite in 2022 and Pars-1 in early 2024, both Earth observation satellites developed in Russia.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Russia and Iran are poised to formalize a "comprehensive strategic partnership," anticipated to be signed during a forthcoming visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia. The partnership signals further collaboration in areas beyond space, including defense.
Drone Cooperation Allegations: Amidst this cooperation, Western nations and Ukraine accuse Iran of supplying Russia with drones used in Ukraine, which Moscow and Tehran have denied. The reported drone shipments have fueled Ukraine conflict operations by Russia.

Civilian Program Challenges: Iran's space program has encountered difficulties, including five consecutive failed launches with the Simorgh rocket program. Additionally, in 2019, a fire at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport claimed the lives of three researchers, and a subsequent launchpad explosion attracted international attention.
Revolutionary Guard’s Military Program: Parallel to the civilian efforts, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has seen success with its military space program, conducting launches from a separate base. However, this facility recently suffered damage in a reported Israeli airstrike on October 26, 2024.

ICBM Development Potential: The U.S. intelligence community has expressed concerns that Iran's satellite launch technology could potentially shorten the timeline for developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which use similar technology and could carry nuclear warheads.
Nuclear Program Status: Iran continues to enrich uranium near weapons-grade levels following the collapse of its 2015 nuclear agreement, sparking warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about Iran’s potential nuclear weapon capacity. While Tehran asserts its space and nuclear programs are for civilian purposes, both the IAEA and U.S. intelligence agencies report that Iran had an organized military nuclear program up to 2003.