Iran launches Nahid-2 telecom satellite into orbit aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket
The launch took place from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome at 9:54 a.m. Tehran time, as part of a broader mission carrying two Russian Ionosfera-M satellites and 18 smaller payloads.
Russian media did not publicly name Iran but said one of the CubeSats aboard was being launched 'for the benefit of a foreign customer.' Iranian outlets later confirmed it was Nahid-2.
The 110-kilogram (242 lb) Iranian satellite is supposed to circle the Earth on a 500-kilometer (310-mile) orbit and has a service lifetime of two years.
The launch comes four days after the IRGC launched its own Qased satellite carrier, an operation which it claimed would strengthen Tehran's space program.
Observers say the timing reflects Tehran's intent to project technological resilience and strategic messaging following last month's war with Israel.
While Iran maintains that its space program is not intended for weaponisation, analysts have repeatedly voiced concern over Iran's satellite launches due to their dual-use nature, stating that the same technology could be used to launch missiles, and each launch further advances Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.
In November, Russia launched a pair of Iranian satellites named Kowsar and Hodhod, the first launched on behalf of the country's private sector. It followed two previous Russian launches of Iranian satellites in 2022 and 2024, highlighting the growing 'strategic partnership' between Moscow and Tehran.
Simultaneously, Russian President Vladmir Putin has repeatedly offered mediation by Moscow in an effort to reach a settlement with Iran, while trying to assuage Israel's security concerns.
Putin has further stressed that Russia hasn't given Iran any military assistance despite Moscow's open support for Tehran during its conflict with Jerusalem, trying to maintain good ties with Israel while further developing its economic and military ties with Iran.
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