Russia’s arms pact with Iran: Moscow pledges fighter jets and air defenses to Tehran including advanced missiles capable of shooting down US and Israeli stealth planes

Russian military officials have quietly supported Iran with weapons and information as the Middle East crisis escalates, it has emerged.

A strategic alliance between the two hostile nations, reports the WashingtonPosthas seen Russia supply a range of artillery to Iran, including prized anti-aircraft launchers and drones.

The reported deals are evidence of a worrying dynamic between the two nations, with experts warning that Iran is growing in strength and bargaining power as it hurtles toward war.

“It’s no longer the patron-client dynamic, where Russia has all the power,” said Hanna Notte, director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

“The Iranians are benefiting from this change. The nature of their relationship goes beyond just getting things. There is knowledge transfer, there is intangible gain.’

Experts warn that Russia has strengthened its relationship with Iran while using the country to support its invasion of Ukraine.

Experts warned that the growing relationship between Russia and Iran took a major step forward in 2022, when Iran agreed to help strengthen its invasion of Ukraine.

This deal saw Iran supply thousands of drones and missiles to the battlefield, a move the Kremlin was reportedly interested in.

Russia has pledged to support Iran with air defense technology and advanced fighter jets, especially as the country faces the possibility of counterattacks from Israel in the wake of last week’s halted attack on Tel-Aviv.

Intelligence officials and weapons experts told the Washington Post that supplying weapons to Iran makes the country a much more formidable military in modern warfare if it has a greater ability to shoot down planes and missiles.

Such a capability was on full display after Iran’s attacks on Israel, when international allies helped shoot down almost all drones heading toward the country.

In particular, Iran is said to covet Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft launchers, which military analysts say are capable of detecting and destroying stealth fighter jets from Israel and the United States.

Members of the Iranian Armed Forces march during the annual military parade in Tehran, Iran, September 22, 2023

According to the newspaper, in March 2023 a Russian arms dealer was caught inviting a delegation of Iranians for a tour of one of his weapons factories, called NPP Start.

The factory was under US sanctions for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the host of the Iranian delegation was not announced until February.

That month, a hacker group shared stolen Iranian emails in which the Russians described the meeting as a showcase for “scientific and technical potential and production capabilities.”

While it is not clear whether any weapons were purchased during that trip, analysts see it as clear intent that the relationship between the two nations has already been forged as they get deeper into the conflict.

According to the cited anonymous experts, this cooperation will extend beyond anti-aircraft launchers and may also include the co-production of military drones in Russia.

It could also include sharing anti-jamming technology and sharing information on weapons deployments against armed forces in Ukraine.

Pictured: A Russian Su-35 fighter jet, one of the weapons feared to be shared between Russia and Iran

The emerging dynamic between Russia and Iran could also strengthen Iran’s air force, which has reportedly lagged behind other world militaries.

Iran’s air force consists mainly of rebuilt pre-1979 US and Soviet jets, but intelligence officials warned that Russia has “advanced” a deal to supply Su-35 fighter jets.

The fighter jets would be a major upgrade for Iran’s fleet, but officials reportedly said there is no evidence yet that they have received them, which may be due to a delay in payment.

Russia would also like to support Iranian efforts to increase its supply of spy satellites and help build rockets to send more into space, the intelligence officials reportedly said.

The potential move in Iranian military power comes as the country continues to push for war with Israel, including sending hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.

The attack in Damascus killed two Iranian generals, prompting Iran to send its counterattack directly from its homeland rather than through proxies in a dramatic escalation.

US officials have reportedly emphasized the need for restraint from Israel in response, but IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi warned on Monday that Iran “will be met with a response.”