Web Desk (MNN); Iran on Sunday launched three additional satellites into space aboard Russian Soyuz rockets, according to Iranian state media, highlighting the growing space cooperation between the two US-sanctioned countries.
Iran has increasingly turned to Russia in recent years to place its satellites into orbit. The newly launched satellites are intended to support monitoring of agriculture, natural resources and environmental conditions.
Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, said the satellites were designed and manufactured by Iranian scientists despite international sanctions and pressure linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
He added that Iran and Russia were cooperating in multiple sectors, noting that some areas of collaboration were public while others were not being disclosed.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that the satellites — Paya, Zafar-2 and a second Kowsar — were launched into low-Earth orbit.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ties between Tehran and Moscow have strengthened. Western countries have accused Iran of supplying missiles and drones to Russia for use in the conflict, allegations that Iran has consistently denied.
