Tassnim Claims: The Islamic Republic Has Sent Two Satellites to Russia for Launch into Earth's Orbit

The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced on Saturday that government officials have sent two satellites, 'Hodhod' and 'Kowsar', to Russia for launch into Earth's orbit. This government media outlet claims that the two satellites were constructed by the 'private sector'. Given the IRGC's control over Iran's missile and space program and the numerous restrictions hindering private sector activities over the past four and a half decades of the Islamic Republic's rule, the claim of these two satellites being built by the 'private sector' seems unlikely. About two and a half years ago, Russia also launched satellites made by the Islamic Republic into Earth's orbit, an action that raised concerns among American officials at the time. The United States is worried that the satellites made by the Islamic Republic of Iran may not only support Russia's aggression against Ukraine but also be used to monitor military targets in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. On Saturday, September 24, the IRGC claimed that it placed the 'Chamran 1' satellite into a 550-kilometer orbit using the 'Qaem100' launch vehicle. The IRGC had also claimed on January 30 of last year that it successfully placed the 'Soraya' satellite into a 750-kilometer orbit. The European Troika condemned the IRGC's actions. Just one day after the European Troika condemned this action by the IRGC, Iranian state media reported the launch of one satellite and two microsatellites. Despite extensive concealment in its nuclear program, refusal to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and equipping its proxy groups with various missiles and drones, the Islamic Republic claims that its missile, drone, and nuclear activities are peaceful. This new adventure by the Iranian government and its insistence on continuing cooperation with the Putin government comes at a time when the United States and the European Union, while imposing extensive sanctions against the Islamic Republic, have stated that they will continue to counter Iran's nuclear program, missile adventures, and military cooperation with Moscow. Meanwhile, concerns about increasing cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia have intensified. Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned on Friday, October 20, 1403, in response to the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian, about the deepening of the 'unholy alliance' between Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. McCaul reminded that the Iranian government is aiding Putin's aggressive war, while Russia is facilitating the transfer of deadly weapons to the terrorist groups supported by Iran, alongside supporting Iran's nuclear ambitions. Reuters also reported on Friday, October 20, citing a senior EU official, that the EU will present sanctions against individuals and entities related to the transfer of ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic to Russia during the meeting of foreign ministers of its member states on Monday, October 23.