Russia successfully launches Iranian satellite into orbit amid US concerns over its planned purpose

Russia has successfully launched an Iranian satellite into orbit amid US concerns over its planned purpose. The satellite, called Khayyam, was launched from the Russian-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan. Iran has said it will be used for environmental monitoring and will remain under Tehran’s control.

Last week, US officials told the Washington Post that they feared the satellite could be used by Moscow to spy on troop movements in Ukraine. Russia has struggled to achieve military objectives in Ukraine and the officials alleged that Moscow’s space agency, Roscosmos, told Tehran that it planned to maintain control over the satellite for several months or longer to assist with its war effort.