While the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue, and within the framework of the tightening relations between Iran and Russia, a large arms sale from Russia to Iran is coming to fruition.
In the last two years, and in the wake of the war in Ukraine, we have seen, for the first time, the supply of weapons from Iran to Russia. In the spotlight: Iranian UAVs, which Moscow used to attack infrastructure sites in Ukraine; Iranian assistance in building a factory for the production of UAVs in Russia, which will be completed soon; and even supply of ammunition. On the agenda, according to the estimates of intelligence sources in Israel and the West, is the forthcoming supply of missiles from Iran to Russia. All this follows the expiration of the ban last October that prohibited Iran from selling missiles. The ban was imposed within the framework of UN Security Council resolution 2231, which ratified the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+ 1 (which includes Russia).
In turn, there is now also progress regarding what Russia affords Iran. Iranian Deputy Minister of Defense Mehdi Farhi announced the conclusion of arms deals with Moscow. According to Farhi, involved are Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet training aircraft that he claims “will join the fighting units of the Iranian military.” Previous reports have talked about Iranian pilots already training on Sukhoi 35 aircraft. Assuming that these transactions materialize, they will make a significant contribution to Iran’s military buildup. Currently the Iranian Air Force has only a few dozen attack aircraft, including Russian planes as well as aging American models purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The two countries have held many military visits, and during the last visit of Russian Defense Minister Shoigu to Tehran in September, he reiterated that Iran is a strategic partner of Russia in the Middle East. In addition, both sides made sure to glorify the military cooperation that exists between the countries. There were also recent reports about a trilateral Russia-Iran-China naval exercise, which will take place soon as part of a similar series that was already held in the past two years.
These developments take on a special significance precisely during the war in Gaza, with the central role played by Iran and its proxies in the region. The connection of the interests of Moscow and Tehran is at the global level, and both see their relations as part of the struggle for the new world order in which they wish to see the weakening of United States influence.
While the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue, and within the framework of the tightening relations between Iran and Russia, a large arms sale from Russia to Iran is coming to fruition.
In the last two years, and in the wake of the war in Ukraine, we have seen, for the first time, the supply of weapons from Iran to Russia. In the spotlight: Iranian UAVs, which Moscow used to attack infrastructure sites in Ukraine; Iranian assistance in building a factory for the production of UAVs in Russia, which will be completed soon; and even supply of ammunition. On the agenda, according to the estimates of intelligence sources in Israel and the West, is the forthcoming supply of missiles from Iran to Russia. All this follows the expiration of the ban last October that prohibited Iran from selling missiles. The ban was imposed within the framework of UN Security Council resolution 2231, which ratified the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+ 1 (which includes Russia).
In turn, there is now also progress regarding what Russia affords Iran. Iranian Deputy Minister of Defense Mehdi Farhi announced the conclusion of arms deals with Moscow. According to Farhi, involved are Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet training aircraft that he claims “will join the fighting units of the Iranian military.” Previous reports have talked about Iranian pilots already training on Sukhoi 35 aircraft. Assuming that these transactions materialize, they will make a significant contribution to Iran’s military buildup. Currently the Iranian Air Force has only a few dozen attack aircraft, including Russian planes as well as aging American models purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The two countries have held many military visits, and during the last visit of Russian Defense Minister Shoigu to Tehran in September, he reiterated that Iran is a strategic partner of Russia in the Middle East. In addition, both sides made sure to glorify the military cooperation that exists between the countries. There were also recent reports about a trilateral Russia-Iran-China naval exercise, which will take place soon as part of a similar series that was already held in the past two years.
These developments take on a special significance precisely during the war in Gaza, with the central role played by Iran and its proxies in the region. The connection of the interests of Moscow and Tehran is at the global level, and both see their relations as part of the struggle for the new world order in which they wish to see the weakening of United States influence.