Russian Rocket Launches Iranian Satellites

• A Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched two Iranian satellites into orbit, indicating growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
• The Soyuz rocket, launched from Vostochny launchpad in eastern Russia, carried two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones.
• The launch follows Russia’s previous launches of an Iranian Earth observation satellite called Khayyam in 2022 and another Iranian satellite named Pars-1 in February 2022.
• The launch comes amid accusations of Tehran providing Moscow with hundreds of drones for use in Ukraine, which have led to long-range drone strikes.
• Moscow and Tehran plan to strengthen ties with a “comprehensive strategic partnership” during Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Russia.