Iran-Russia Defense Pact Deepens With Major Missile Transfer

According to a Reuters report on Wednesday, Iran supplied Russia with a substantial cache of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. Both countries are currently under US sanctions.

Six sources in contact with Reuters revealed that the transfer includes around 400 missiles, prominently featuring the Fateh-110 family, known for their short-range ballistic capabilities, including the Zolfaghar missile, capable of hitting targets between 300 and 700 km away. The missile shipments, which began in early January, were the result of agreements reached in meetings between military and security officials from both countries, held in Tehran and Moscow towards the end of last year.

Despite the secrecy surrounding these transactions, details emerged from three Iranian sources and were corroborated by others familiar with the matter. These sources, preferring anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, revealed that the missiles had been transported via both sea and air routes, with more deliveries anticipated.

“There will be more shipments,” an Iranian official told Reuters. “There is no reason to hide it. We are allowed to export weapons to any country that we wish to.”

Iran’s defense ministry and the Revolutionary Guards, along with Russia’s defense ministry, have not commented on these developments. The US, while aware of the potential for such transfers, has expressed concern but has yet to confirm the deliveries.