Russia to launch two Iranian satellites Tuesday
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Russia and Iran continue to deepen their technological ties amid heavy sanctions from the US and Europe.
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The launch of Soyuz-FG carrier rocket with Soyuz MS-09 manned spacecraft from the launch table of launch pad No.1, Gagarin's Start, at Baikonur Space Center (Sputnik)
Russia will launch two Iranian satellites into orbit on Tuesday using a Soyuz rocket, Iran's envoy to Moscow announced on Monday, as the two heavily sanctioned nations strengthen their scientific ties.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali revealed on X that in accordance with the ongoing development of the two nations' "scientific and technological technological cooperation, two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, will be launched to a 500 km orbit of earth on Tuesday, Nov. 5, by a Soyuz launch vehicle."
According to a report published last month by Tasnim, the development of Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a tiny communications satellite, is the first significant endeavor by Iran's private space sector.
Russia launched an Iranian research-sensing satellite, Pars 1, into orbit in February using a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Russia, Iran to sign strategic partnership agreement on defense
An updated partnership agreement between Russia and Iran, emphasizing defense cooperation, is expected to be signed soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced last week.
Speaking at the second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, Lavrov highlighted the significance of this treaty in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations.
"A major factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations will be the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared for signing soon," Lavrov said.
Lavrov underlined that the agreement "will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global level."
The announcement follows an earlier statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 23, where he revealed plans for the imminent signing of the treaty with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Russia, also confirmed that the document would be finalized during an upcoming visit by the Iranian president to Moscow.
