Russia: An Iranian research satellite named Pars-1, has been launched into orbit by Russia amid increasing tensions with the West. From the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the Russian Soyuz rocket launched Pars-1, a remote sensing and imaging satellite that will scan Iran’s topography from an orbit of 310 miles (500km).
Issa Zarepour, Iran’s Telecommunications Minister, stated that, “Pars-1 was fully domestically developed.” According to Iran’s claim, in January, the country launched three satellites into orbit using its own rocket, which was followed by another launch of a research satellite by its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Western governments, including the United States, have frequently cautioned Iran against conducting such launches. They argue that the exact same technology can be used for ballistic missiles, including those invented to deliver a nuclear warhead.
Iran has been under sanctions by the United States since the latter’s withdrawal from a nuclear deal in 2018. The deal granted Tehran relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities. However, Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons and stated that its satellite and rocket launches are for civil or defence purposes only.
In August 2022, Russia launched Iran’s Khayyam satellite into orbit from Kazakhstan. The satellite is designed for remote sensing and its launch reflects a deeper level of scientific cooperation between the two countries.
However, this event has also flared controversy as some people fear that Moscow might use the satellite to increase its supervision of military targets in the ongoing battle in Ukraine. Moscow has bolstered its alliances with countries ostracised by the West, including Iran, which was blamed for providing armed drones to Moscow for its offensive in Ukraine.
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