Iran launched three satellites from Russia

Iranian state media reported that Russia's Soyuz carrier rocket sent three Iranian satellites into space on Sunday (December 28). The two countries sanctioned by the United States are further expanding their cooperation in the field of space.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran, three satellites, Paya, Zafar-2 and Kowsar, were launched from the Vostok Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East on the same day. They will operate in an orbit about 500 kilometers above the Earth.

These three satellites are used for a series of environmental and agricultural purposes. Among them, the Paya satellite was developed by Iran Electronics Industries, a subsidiary of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, and is claimed to be the heaviest and most advanced imaging satellite independently developed by Iran to date.

Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Jalali, told Iran's state-run television: "Despite various sanctions and threats..." Iranian scientists designed and manufactured these satellites. He was referring to the sanctions imposed by the West against Iran's nuclear program.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, the relationship between Iran and Russia has become increasingly close. Western countries claim that Iran provided missiles and drones for Russia's attack on Ukraine, but Iran denies this.

Russia has been providing assistance to Iran's satellite program for more than 20 years. In July this year, Russia sent Iran's Nahid-2 satellite into space to enhance Iran's navigation and communication systems. In November 2024, Iran launched an early version of the Kowsar satellite from Russia.

This launch comes at a time when Iran's nuclear and missile activities have once again raised concerns among the outside world. US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet in Florida on Monday. The topics they will discuss may include the reconstruction of Iran's nuclear facilities that were bombed by the US military in June, as well as the possibility of launching new strikes against Iran.