On Tuesday, a Russian rocket successfully launched two Iranian satellites into orbit. This event shows the increasing partnership between Moscow and Tehran. The Soyuz rocket successfully took off from the Vostochny launchpad in eastern Russia as planned. Nine minutes after liftoff, it placed its payload into the correct orbit. The rocket was carrying two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and many smaller satellites, including two from Iran.

The initial satellites launched on behalf of the private sector in Iran were Kowsar and Hodhod. Tehran ordered an Iranian Earth observation satellite to be built in Russia, and it was launched by a Russian rocket in 2022. The launch on Tuesday coincides with extended ties between Iran and Russia in several areas. Iran has been charged by Ukraine and the West with helping to start the production of exploding drones in Russia and supplying Moscow with hundreds of them for use on the battlefield throughout Ukraine.

A steady stream of long-range drone attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure has been made possible by Iranian drone deliveries, which Tehran and Moscow have denied. Moscow and Tehran are looking to strengthen their relationship by signing a comprehensive strategic partnership. This agreement will be finalised during the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Russia, although the exact date of his visit has not been determined yet. The Kremlin has indicated that it could take place soon.

The successful launch of the Iranian satellites on a Russian rocket on Tuesday comes after Iran's civilian space program has experienced a string of unsuccessful launches in recent years. The Simorgh program has launched a satellite-carrying rocket five times in a row without success.