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A Russian rocket carrying an Iranian satellite was launched into space today, Reuters reported.

The successful launch is part of deepening ties between the two countries, which face sanctions imposed on them by the West.

The Khayam remote sensing satellite was launched into space by a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in southern Kazakhstan, where Russia's space flights take place.

The video broadcast on YouTube by the Russian space agency "Roscosmos" shows that the launch took place at 8:52 a.m. Moscow time (coincides with Bulgarian).

Tehran rejected accusations that the satellite could serve to expand Moscow's intelligence capabilities in Ukraine, saying Iran had full control over it from the start of the project.

The Washington Post reported last week that US officials are concerned about the newly established space cooperation between Russia and Iran, fearing that the satellite will not only help the Kremlin in Ukraine, but also provide unprecedented opportunities for Iran to conduct military surveillance. sites in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Iran claims the satellite is designed for scientific research in areas such as radiation and environmental monitoring for agricultural purposes. 

Russia has been trying to deepen its relationship with Iran since February 24, when it invaded Ukraine with thousands of troops.

In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the country for his first international visit outside the territory of the former Soviet Union since the beginning of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. 

During the visit, the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told Putin that Tehran and Moscow must remain vigilant against "deceptions of the West".

Space is one area where the United States and Russia maintain traditional cooperation and strong ties, despite geopolitical tensions between Moscow and Washington. 

Roscosmos and NASA recently struck an agreement to transport astronauts from both countries to the International Space Station, despite recent Kremlin statements that it may withdraw from the ISS at some point in the future.

Vladimir Putin recently replaced the head of "Roscosmos" Dmitry Rogozin, known for his loud statements and behavior, with a former defense adviser, which was a drastic change for the Russian space agency, BTA adds.