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By Shane Croucher and Amir Daftari
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Russia has launched a new Iranian communications satellite into orbit with one of its Soyuz rockets.
It is another symbol of deepening strategic cooperation between Russia and Iran, a point of concern for U.S.-led Western allies.
The rocket lifted off from the Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia, carrying two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites, along with Iran's Nahid-2 satellite and 17 smaller Russian satellites.
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Newsweek has reached out to the foreign ministries of Iran and Russia for comment.
Why It Matters
The launch underscores deepening technological ties between Russia and Iran amid rising Western pressure on both countries. It also signals Tehran's continued progress in satellite technology, despite longstanding concerns in the West that advances in its civilian space program may enhance its ballistic missile capabilities.
The timing of the launch—just hours before European nations met with Iranian officials to resume nuclear talks—may also be seen as a calculated show of strength. These negotiations come at a particularly fraught moment, following a 12-day conflict triggered by Israeli attacks on Iranian targets.
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What to Know
The Nahid-2 satellite is the latest in a series of Iranian space projects. Iran's state broadcaster described it as a communications satellite entirely designed and manufactured domestically.
It was launched aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The 110-kilogram (242-pound) Iranian satellite is supposed to circle the Earth on a 500-kilometer (310-mile) orbit and has a service lifetime of two years.
How Has the West Responded?
Western governments have long raised alarms over Iran's space program, suggesting its technological gains could be repurposed for ballistic missile development. The dual-use nature of satellite launch vehicles has been cited as a particular area of concern by officials in Washington and Europe.
Earlier this week, Iran tested its own Qased satellite launch rocket, marking a new phase in its space program. State media described the launch as an effort to assess "emerging new technologies" and improve the performance of future satellite systems.
Nuclear Talks Resume
Today's launch was announced just ahead of new nuclear talks in Istanbul involving Iran and the so-called E3—Britain, France, and Germany. This marks the first round of discussions since Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities in mid-June escalated into a brief regional conflict. The U.S. entered that conflict in support of Israel, targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
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What People Are Saying
Sina Azodi, Assistant Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs: "Not only is Iran enhancing its capabilities, but it is also sending a loud political message."
What Happens Next
As nuclear negotiations resume and space activity continues, Western powers are likely to scrutinize Iran's aerospace developments even more closely, particularly those involving international cooperation with Russia.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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