A new launch of Iranian satellites from Russia. Among them, the heaviest and most advanced imaging satellite ever manufactured in Iran
Image provided by the Russian space agency from the launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Credit: Handout / AFP / Profimedia
Three more Iranian satellites were launched into orbit on a Russian Soyuz rocket on Sunday, Iranian state media announced, as nations targeted by US sanctions expand their cooperation in space. The action risks escalating tensions over Tehran's broader activities, Bloomberg notes.
In recent years, Iran has increasingly relied on Russia to put satellites into orbit, with the most recent three intended to help monitor agriculture, natural resources and the environment, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.
“These satellites were designed and produced by Iranian scientists … despite all sanctions and threats,” Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, said on state television, referring to Western measures on Tehran's nuclear program.
Among the three satellites is Paya
The Paya, Zafar-2 and Kowsar satellites were launched into space from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, state-run IRNA news agency reported. The devices will orbit about 500 kilometers above Earth.
Paya is described by IRNA as the heaviest and most advanced imaging satellite manufactured domestically by Iran to date. According to the agency, it was developed by Iran Electronics Industries, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense.
Tehran's space program and associated entities have been targeted by US sanctions for alleged links to its ballistic missile program.
The launch came amid concerns over Iran's nuclear and missile activities.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting in Florida on Monday
A new meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take place on Monday, and Bloomberg wrote that they could discuss possible new attacks on Iran over its ballistic missile program and rebuilding nuclear sites hit by the US military in June.
Moscow has supported Iran's satellite program for two decades. In July, Iran's Nahid-2 satellite was launched into space by Russia to strengthen the country's navigation and telecommunications systems, according to state media. An earlier version of Kowsar was launched from Russia in November 2024.
