The Iranian space agency has denied reports that Russia may be using the Khayyam reconnaissance satellite to spy on Ukraine. The spacecraft is subordinate only to Tehran and is unsuitable for military purposes by other countries, the agency said in a statement released on Sunday, August 7.

The satellite control center will be located on the territory of Iran, and all commands related to its control and operation, from the first day and immediately after launch, will be carried out by Iranian specialists, it is indicated later. “No other country will have access to this information. Rumors about the use of satellite images for military purposes by another country are not true,” the agency stressed.

Russia is preparing to launch an Iranian satellite into Baikonur’s orbit on August 9. As the Washington Post previously wrote, referring to Western intelligence services, it is expected to significantly expand Tehran’s ability to spy on military installations in the Middle East. However, before that, the publication reported, Moscow intended to use the spacecraft to monitor the Ukrainian armed forces.