Russia is reportedly considering increasing its military support for Iran by providing advanced weapons; It’s a move that could significantly increase the military capabilities of Iran and its militant allies in the region and increase tensions with Israel.
Russia could provide Iran with advanced weapons that could significantly increase military capacity against Israel. Reports Iran sends unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic missiles to Russia It could be a strategic move in exchange for more advanced weapons, including modern anti-ship missiles, advanced air defense systems and long-awaited weapons for use in the Ukraine conflict. Sukhoi 35 Flanker fighter jet.
Iran has ordered Sukhoi-35 fighter jets and also wants to buy them S-400 Triumph air defense systems Countering Israeli Air Force missiles and other threats. If these agreements are fulfilled, the military power of Iran and its militias in the region will be significantly strengthened.
a matter of time
Justin Brank, senior researcher at the Royal United Services (Defence) Institute think tank (also known as the Russian think tank RUSI), said in an interview with the ‘Business Insider’ website that “the delivery of Sukhoi 35 aircraft to Iran is significant.” “So, it will take time to establish the necessary infrastructure and ground support equipment, as well as the need to train flight crews and maintenance personnel.” Cannot be used to deter possible Israeli attacks on Iran in the near future.
Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s missile attack, which launched on October 1 and included the launch of more than 180 ballistic missiles. Iranian media has since published a dubious and unverified claim: Russia has delivered at least one squadron of Sukhoi-35 fighter jets and an unspecified number of sS-400 air defense system delivered to Tehran. However, this information has not been confirmed yet.
Shahriar Heydari, a former member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, said in a statement to the Tasnim news agency that “these warplanes that Iran ordered from Russia will enter the country early next year.”
However, there were previous reports and reports in some Iranian media that the Sukhoi-35 warplanes would be delivered soon. Video on social media showing Russian Sukhoi-35 fighter jet flying over Tehran and Mehrabad were all lies.
Recently, Iran officially denied reports that the Sukhoi-35 would be delivered by the end of April. All reports published in the Iranian media were about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was later deleted and declared false, according to the Student News Agency.
Of course, there are many reasons for this Iran may soon receive these advanced fourth-generation aircraftThis includes the fact that such a deal now looks more likely than ever.
Anton Merdasov, a non-resident researcher at the US think tank Middle East Institute, believes the Sukhoi-35 contract is a “solved problem”; Because Russia delivered the Yak-130 training aircraft required for the training of fighter pilots Iranians in September 2023.
No change in regional balance of power
acquisition Sukhoi-35 warplanes will allow Iran to modernize its air forceConsisting mainly of refurbished American and Soviet fighters from the pre-revolutionary period, thus improving air defense capabilities.
However, this development is unlikely to change Tehran’s regional balance of power, as the Gulf Arab kingdoms have done. much more advanced fighter aircraft.
The purchase of these warplanes has been a subject of controversy since March 14, when Iranian state media reported that the purchase contract had been closed. Tehran is expected to take At least 24 fighter jets initially destined for Egypt.
But according to U.S. and Middle Eastern intelligence officials in April, There is no public evidence that the Sukhoi-35 was deliveredand possible delays are attributed to Iran’s payment process.
Merdasov of the Middle East Institute told Business Insider that the Sukhoi-35’s delivery timeframe likely depends on “technical readiness” and other factors.
S-400 defense system and Russia’s need in the Ukraine war
The New York Times reported in August that Russia began providing air defense equipment to Iran despite the increasing tension in the region after Israel assassinated Ismail Haniye in Tehran. Although the type of this equipment is not specified, S-400 air defense system What Iran has been seeking for a long time.
ADVERTFormer commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammed Ali Jafari, admitted for the first time on Tuesday, November 1, as an official of the Islamic Republic, that the target of Israel’s missile attack was the Isfahan air base. Attack from Iran. Drone and missile attack on Israel on April 25. Previously, the Iranian government’s narrative was that Isfahan’s air defenses targeted several “small birds and suspicious objects.”
In the attack in question, Israel targeted the radar of the previous generation S-400, one of Iran’s S-300 systems, which is the most advanced air defense system that Iran purchased from Russia.
Anthony Merdasov believes that Moscow will most likely not deliver the S-400 system to Iran due to its defense needs in the Ukraine war. Equal If Russia decides to deliver the S-400 missile defense systemTraining and commissioning of the crew will take at least five months.
Confirmation of ongoing negotiations on the supply of Russian missiles to the Houthis
Meanwhile, other news shows Russia is negotiating over missile supplies antibuque cruiser P-800 Onyx To the Houthis in Yemen. The Onyx missile has an extraordinary feature 300 kilometers range and can fly just above sea level as it approaches its target.
ADVERTThe missile is more advanced than other anti-ship missiles in the rebel group’s arsenal and could escalate its attacks on merchant ships and ships of the US-led maritime defense coalition.
According to ‘Business Insider’, there are also reports that Russian intelligence agents played an advisory role in Ansarullah’s attacks on commercial ships. According to these reports, Iran is facilitating this agreement despite the objections of Saudi Arabia and the USA.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has said this before. Your country can arm Western enemies under certain conditionsMerdasov believes that the alleged talks between Moscow and the Houthis are “a strategic statement by Russian intelligence services”, the purpose of which is “We support Putin’s statements about the possibility of arming the enemies of the United States.”
The Russian President warned in June that Moscow could arm Western enemies. Retaliation for Western military support to UkraineThis includes allowing Kiev to use Western ammunition in targeted attacks inside Russia. He emphasized that “we also have the right to act in the same way.”
ADVERTThe Russian analyst is skeptical of any direct transfer and notes that the missiles should be handed over to the Houthis China may put oil tankers at risk. Additionally, the Panama-flagged Chinese oil tanker MV Huang Pu was hit by a Houthi missile. “The deliberate launch of such missiles would greatly disturb Arab countries, which are important partners of Moscow under the current embargo,” Mordasov said. he said.
But one scenario, especially if the United States and its allies allow Ukraine to use Western-made air defense missiles against Russia, could be that these missiles “accidentally pass over Syria” and reach the Houthis.
