MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian rocket successfully blasted off Tuesday to put two Iranian satellites into orbit, a launch that reflects growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

The Soyuz rocket took off as planned from the Vostochny launch pad in far-eastern Russia and placed its payload into a designated orbit nine minutes after launch. It carried two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several dozen smaller satellites, including the two Iranian ones.

The two Iranian satellites, named Kowsar and Hodhod, were the first launched on behalf of the country’s private sector. In 2022, a Russian rocket launched an Iranian Earth observation satellite built in Russia on order from Tehran.

Tuesday’s launch comes as Russia and Iran have expanded ties in various areas. Ukraine and the West have accused Tehran of supplying Moscow with hundreds of explosive drones for use on the battlefield in Ukraine and helping launch their production in Russia. Iranian drone deliveries, which Moscow and Tehran have denied, have enabled a constant barrage of long-range drone strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Moscow and Tehran plan to further strengthen ties through a “comprehensive strategic partnership” expected to be signed later this month. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian’s planned visit to Russia. The date of this visit has not yet been set, but the Kremlin has said it could take place soon.

Tuesday’s successful launch of Iranian satellites atop a Russian rocket follows a series of launch failures suffered by Iran’s civilian space program in recent years. There have been five failed launches in a row for the Simorgh Programa satellite-carrying rocket.