Iran launches two satellites via Russian Soyuz rocket

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Tuesday launched its first two privately developed satellites into lower Earth orbit from sites in Russia, state media reported, as Tehran plans to launch several more this year.

“The first satellites of the private sector were successfully launched from the Russian Vostochny launch base with the Soyuz satellite carrier,” Iranian state media IRNA reported on Tuesday. 

The first two satellites, Kowsar and Hod Hod, manufactured by private aerospace company Space OMID were launched at “2:48 am [local time] Tuesday along with other cargoes,“ IRNA added. 

Iran plans to launch another “five to seven satellites this year,” according to Hassan Salariyeh, the head of Iran’s space organization. 

Kowsar is reportedly dedicated to agricultural applications, mapping, and surveying, IRNA said, adding that the Hod Hod satellite's mission is to establish a platform specifically aimed at delivering narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) services to benefit the agriculture, transportation, and environmental sectors. 

Iran has been under frequent fire from Western governments, especially the United States, for its satellite program. The West has argued that the technologies could be used for launching ballistic missiles or even delivering nuclear warheads.

Tehran maintains its position that it does not seek nuclear weapons and that its satellites are for civil or defense purposes.

Since 2018, Iran has lived under strict sanctions imposed by the West after former US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal.

In September, Britain, France, and Germany announced that they would cut aviation agreements with Iran and imposed new sanctions on its national airline, Iran Air, claiming that Tehran has repeatedly defied warnings about the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.