The geographic reality for Russia is that it will always need a warm water port and access to the world oceans through the Persian/Arabian Gulf.  This truth will be the driver behind Russian political and economic agreements in the Middle East and Asia regardless of the advances in technology over the 21st century.

The article states: “Earlier in the day, Iranian Vice President Sorena Sattari reiterated Tehran’s interest in cooperating with Russia in the space and aviation industries. Two Russian space companies and Iranian Bonyan Danesh Shargh firm signed on Tuesday an agreement on joint development of an Earth remote-sensing satellite system for Iran, Russia’s Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said.”

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_to_Develop_Earth_Remote_Sensing_Satellite_System_for_Iran_999.html

1055469 03/02/2012 The Mission Control Center in Korolyov. Sergey Mamontov/RIA Novosti