Russia, Iran Cooperate to Launch Iranian Satellites

Latest Developments

• Russia Launches Iranian Satellite: Russia successfully launched an Iranian communications satellite into orbit on July 25. The Soyuz rocket carried Iran’s Nahid-2 Satellite as well as two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and 17 additional small Russian satellites. The Nahid-2 has a service lifetime of two years.
• Previous Russian Launches of Iranian Satellites: In November 2024, Russia launched two Iranian satellites named Kowsar and Hodhod, marking the first time that rockets developed by Iran’s private space industry were sent into low Earth orbit. Russia had previously launched Iran’s “Khayyam” observation satellite in 2022, which was built to order in Russia, and Russia sent Iran’s Pars-1 satellite into orbit in February 2024.
• Strategic Partnership Grows: In January, Russia and Iran signed a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” which was approved by the Iranian parliament in May, that aims to boost collaboration in “all spheres.” During the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to negotiate a settlement between the two nations but noted that Tehran had not requested explicit military assistance from Moscow during the conflict.

FDD Expert Response

“Moscow and Tehran signed a ‘strategic partnership’ agreement in January, and both are in an anti-American axis of aggressors with Beijing and Pyongyang. This ‘communications satellite’ will be used to boost the Islamist regime’s military and intelligence capabilities as Iranian ruler Ali Khamenei attempts to build back better from the 12-Day War.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“Russia has helped the Islamic Republic launch at least five satellites over the years, with the Nahid-2 being the latest. The space relationship between the two is one of the lower-cost ways Moscow can pay Tehran back for the Iranian drones it uses to target Ukraine. Iran has an interest in developing local positioning systems to bolster the targeting capabilities of its drones and missiles, something that is of great importance to it after the 12-Day War with Israel. Additionally, while Iran possesses its own space-launch vehicles, its choice to use Russian platforms to launch its satellites into low Earth orbit is a sign that the regime remains interested in converting those larger carrier rockets into platforms for longer-range systems that could be used one day to threaten the European continent and America.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“Iran has long used its space program as a cover for the testing and evaluation of missile components it would need to create a nuclear launch vehicle. After devastating attacks on Iran’s enrichment facilities, military leadership, and nuclear scientists, it is not surprising that they are partnering with Russia to launch a satellite, as performing that function in Iran could trigger additional military strikes from Israel. Once permitted, these space launches and missile tests in Iran will be challenged in a way we have not seen previously.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Government Relations at FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“Russia to Launch Iranian Satellites Into Space,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Seeks Purchase of Advanced Spy Satellites from China,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Launches Satellite Into Orbit Using Domestic Missile,” FDD Flash Brief

“Exporting Iran’s Revolution to Space,” by Behnam Ben Taleblu and Tyler Stapleton