Photo: Iranian Ministry of Interior / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Iran has handed over two satellites of its own production to Russia to be launched into orbit by a Russian carrier rocket, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reports, citing Reuters. The move reflects increased cooperation between the two countries, which are under US sanctions.
The satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, are a major achievement for Iran’s private space sector. Kowsar, a high-resolution satellite, will be used for agricultural purposes, natural resource management and environmental monitoring. Hodhod is a small communications satellite that can provide communication in remote regions with limited access to ground networks.
This cooperation has raised concerns in the United States, which fears that Iranian satellites could not only support Russia in its war against Ukraine, but also help Iran monitor military targets in the Middle East, including Israel. Washington has previously expressed similar concerns after Russia’s launches of Iranian satellites in February and 2022.
Amid US and European accusations that Iran is supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran continues to deny these allegations, focusing on developing its own space technologies. In September, Iran launched another satellite using a rocket developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, further increasing international tensions.
