According to media reports, Iran is supplying satellites to Russia for rocket launches

As the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on October 12, Iran has delivered two domestically manufactured satellites to Russia for an upcoming launch. This is the latest instance of space cooperation between the two nations, both of which are under US sanctions.

The Kowsar and Hodhod satellites represent Iran’s first significant project in the private space sector. They were reportedly sent to Russia on October 11.

Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, is designed for agricultural use, environmental monitoring and disaster management. Meanwhile, Hodhod, a small communications satellite, aims to provide satellite-based connectivity in remote areas with limited terrestrial networks.

According to Tasnim, a group of young Iranian engineers with an average age of 25 years led the project at a private Iranian technology company.

Russia had previously launched Iranian satellites into orbit in February and again in 2022, raising concerns among U.S. officials about the potential military impact. These officials fear that the satellites could support Russia’s operations in Ukraine and help Iran monitor military targets across Israel and the Middle East.

In a related development, Iran successfully carried out its second satellite launch in September this year, using a missile developed by the Revolutionary Guards. The launch comes amid allegations from the United States and European countries that Iran supplied Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine – claims that Tehran has repeatedly denied.