A short time ago, we reported on US claims that Iran was risking a “dramatic escalation” by allegedly transferring short-range ballistic weapons to the Kremlin (see our 8:12 a.m. post).
Ties between Russia and Iran, which had strong ties before the conflict, have deepened since the start of the Ukraine war, with Tehran sending thousands of drones to Moscow to attack Kiev.
But what will Iran gain from this partnership?
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Tehran benefits both militarily and economically from its deal with Moscow.
“Iran seeks cash to shore up its ailing economy in return for arms sales to the Kremlin,” the report said, and Moscow is providing ample funds given President Vladimir Putin’s transformation of Russia’s financial system and laws into a war economy.
And like Russia, Iran has long suffered under sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies, so it is happy to accept cash from its allies.
Tehran is also considering acquiring Russian Su-35 fighter jets, according to ISW.
“Given that Iran’s current air force is outdated and poorly maintained, the acquisition of the Su-35 could enable Iran to more easily and independently project air power,” ISW said.
Furthermore, the ISW adds, “Iranian leaders have separately sought Russian assistance in improving their cyber capabilities and missile and space programs as part of expanding military cooperation.”
But what ISW has not commented on is the political aspect.
Iran has many enemies.
They range from as close as Israel to as far away as Washington. Some Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have also banded together against Tehran.
Allies are becoming fewer and fewer and farther apart, which is why having a country of Russia’s size, power and strength is important to Iran.
This is not a new partnership: Moscow and Tehran have maintained close ties since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but that relationship has arguably accelerated in recent years.
For example, in 2007 Iran became the only West Asian country invited to join the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russian-led answer to NATO.
Since Russia’s diplomatic (and economic) isolation following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ties between the two countries have further deepened, with Iran’s robust military manufacturing base providing Moscow with thousands of “Shahed” drones.
If the reports are accurate and Russia has now received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran, it highlights how far relations between the two countries have progressed.