Iran sends 2 satellites to Russia for rocket launch, says they’re for civilian purposes
Satellites could be for agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management and communications, but US has warned in past they could be used to identify targets in Israel
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Iran has sent two locally made satellites to Russia to be put into orbit by a Russian space vehicle, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported on Saturday, in the latest space cooperation between the two US-sanctioned countries.
The development of Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite, is the first substantial effort by Iran’s private space sector, the report said.
Russia sent Iranian satellites into orbit in February and in 2022, when US officials voiced concern over space cooperation between Russia and Iran, fearing the satellite would not only help Russia in Ukraine but also help Iran monitor potential targets in Israel and the wider Middle East.
Kowsar could be used in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and disaster management, Tasnim said. Hodhod is designed for satellite-based communications and could be used in remote areas with little access to terrestrial networks.
In September, Iran carried out its second satellite launch this year using a rocket built by its Revolutionary Guards. The launch came as the United States and European countries accused Tehran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that could be used in its war with Ukraine. Iran has denied this.
In January, Iran said it simultaneously launched three satellites into orbit, nearly a week after the launch of a research satellite by its Revolutionary Guards.
Western governments including the United States have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including ones designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.
Iran has countered that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and that its satellite and rocket launches are for civil or defense purposes only.
The US has previously said Iran’s satellite launches defy a UN Security Council resolution and called on Tehran to undertake no activity involving ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
The US intelligence community’s 2023 worldwide threat assessment said in January that the development of satellite launch vehicles “shortens the timeline” for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons. Iran’s nuclear program has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers.
Tehran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear weapons, if it chooses to produce them, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency repeatedly has warned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday at a time when Tehran is supplying weapons for Moscow’s war in Ukraine and concerns are growing over escalating attacks between Israel and Iran and its terror allies. The US and UK are also reportedly concerned that Russia has been helping Iran develop its nuclear weapons program.
