Three additional Iranian satellites were successfully launched into space on Sunday aboard Russia’s Soyuz launch vehicles, according to Iranian state media, highlighting the growing space cooperation between the two countries despite Western sanctions.
The satellites were sent into low-Earth orbit as part of Iran’s expanding space programme, which has increasingly relied on Russian launch capabilities in recent years. Iranian officials said the new satellites will support monitoring of agriculture, natural resources and environmental conditions, areas Tehran considers vital for long-term planning and development.
Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, told state television that the satellites were “designed and produced by Iranian scientists despite all the sanctions and threats,” a reference to Western restrictions imposed over Iran’s nuclear activities. He added that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow spans several sectors, noting that while some aspects are publicly acknowledged, others remain undisclosed.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency identified the satellites as Paya, Zafar 2 and a second unit of Kowsar. All three were placed into low-Earth orbit, a region commonly used for Earth observation, communications and scientific research. Iranian authorities say such missions are aimed at strengthening civilian and scientific capabilities rather than military applications.
The launch comes amid deepening ties between Iran and Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the two countries have expanded cooperation in economic, military and technological fields. Western governments have accused Iran of supplying drones and missiles to Russia for use in the conflict, allegations Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Iran has faced long-standing restrictions on access to advanced aerospace technology, making partnerships with allies such as Russia critical for sustaining its space ambitions. In recent years, several Iranian satellites have been launched from Russian territory, underscoring Moscow’s role as a key partner in Iran’s orbital efforts.
Despite international scrutiny, Iranian officials maintain that their space programme is peaceful and focused on scientific advancement, data collection and environmental management. Sunday’s launch marks another step in Iran’s efforts to establish a steady presence in space while navigating geopolitical pressure and sanctions.
