Russia launches Iranian satellites into orbit ahead of partnership summit between Moscow, Tehran
A Russian rocket launched a pair of Iranian satellites on Tuesday, reflecting growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran ahead of a looming partnership summit.The Soyuz rocket took off from the Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia, deploying Russian satellites into orbit and several dozen smaller satellites, including two from Iran.The Kowsar and Hodhod satellites, launched on behalf of a private sector client, are the latest Iranian assets deployed to space by Russia on Tehran’s orders, with the two nations planning to bolster their “strategic partnership.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Moscow in the near future to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and sign a new partnership agreement.
Tehran has depended on Russia’s space program following a series of setbacks to its own rocket development project, including five consecutive failed launches of its Simorgh satellite-carrying rocket program.A launchpad rocket explosion in 2020 notably drew the attention of then-President Donald Trump, who mocked the failed attempt on X with a surveillance picture of the singed Imam Khomeini Spaceport.Despite the failures, Tehran continues to work on its space program, which would prove a clear danger should it acquire Moscow’s help, according to US intelligence officials.
The US intelligence community’s 2024 worldwide threat assessment said Iran’s development of satellite launch vehicles “would shorten the timeline” for Tehran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile.Coupled with Iran’s nuclear program, which is close to producing weapons-grade uranium, Tehran could be poised to possess long-range nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency warned.Officials fear the process could speed up as Tehran improves its relationship with Moscow, which has already been accused of using hundreds of Iranian suicide drones on the battlefield in Ukraine.
While Russian and Iranian officials have denied...