Iran’s domestically made Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite was successfully launched into orbit on Friday aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, Iranian media reported, in what marks Tehran’s second space-related operation this week.
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 mission comes just four days after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a suborbital test of its Qased satellite carrier, part of what it described as an effort to enhance Iran’s space capabilities. Observers say the timing reflects Tehran’s intent to project technological resilience and strategic messaging following last month’s war with Israel.
Western officials have repeatedly voiced concern over Iran’s satellite launches due to their dual-use nature. “The same rocket that launches satellites can launch missiles; it’s the identical technology,” said Fatima Al-Asrar, a Yemeni-American policy analyst.
Tehran insists its space program is peaceful, but analysts say each launch potentially advances Iran’s ballistic missile know-how. “The timing shows Iran wants to project strength despite its recent setbacks,” said Middle East analyst Sina Azodi.
In January last year, the European Troika, Britain, France, and Germany, condemned Iran’s launch of the Soraya satellite aboard a Qaem 100 rocket, warning it "uses technology essential for the development of a long-range ballistic missile system."
