- October 13, 2024
- 4:47 pm
- World News
Iran sent two satellites to Russia, saying they were for peaceful purposes such as “agriculture” and “telecommunications”, but many experts doubt the true intentions of this cooperation.
The Kawsar and Hadhad satellites, according to Iran, were developed by a private company and are intended for “mapping and creating communication networks in hard-to-reach areas.”
About this reports Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
However, this “peaceful” cooperation with Russia raises serious suspicions in the international community, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to Reutersin 2022, Russia has already launched Iranian satellites into orbit. Then US officials expressed concern about cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in the space sector.
According to them, she can not only to help the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine, but also to Iran – to track potential military targets in Israel and the Middle East.
Iran also carried out its second satellite launch using its own rocket in September. This comes amid accusations from the United States and European countries that Tehran has transferred ballistic missiles to Russia that could be used in a war with Ukraine.
Western analysts believe that the real purpose of these satellites may be related to increased military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Although Iran claims that the satellites will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and will “always retain control over them,” in fact, Russia plans to use them for its military purposes in Ukraine. The report, published by Tasnim, claims that Russia will control the satellites “for months or longer,” which is a legitimate concern.
The history of such launches goes back several years, and in the past, similar steps by Tehran and Moscow have drawn criticism from the West, especially the United States. Washington has reportedly expressed concern that Russia could use these satellites for military operations, providing Tehran with opportunities to bolster its military and intelligence assets.
This cooperation also highlights the growing ties between the two countries in the technical, scientific and possibly military fields. And while officials such as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claim the country is not producing “sophisticated weapons” due to sanctions, reality suggests otherwise.
Iranian space cooperation with Russia threatens Israel too
Iranian cooperation with Russia in the space sector could pose a serious threat to the security of Israel and the Middle East as a whole. The satellites that Iran sent to Russia may be used not only to help the Russian army in the war against Ukraine, but also to monitor Israeli military installations.
These satellites could help Iran in reconnaissance and tracking of potential military targets in Israel, which seriously threatens the country's national security. As is known, Iran has hostile intentions towards Israel, repeatedly declaring its desire to destroy it. Now, with the help of these satellites, Iran may be able to more accurately track the movements of the Israeli army and civilian targets, increasing the risk of missile and terrorist attacks.
In addition, satellite data could be used to coordinate with Iran's other allies in the region, such as Hezbollah and other extremist groups, also increasing the potential threat to Israel's security.
