Iran has requested advanced air defense systems from Russia in preparation for a possible war with Israel. The Kremlin agreed and has already begun supplying modern radars and air defense systems. This is reported by The New York Times, according to UNN.
Details
On Monday, August 5, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with Iran's new President Massoud Peseshkian and Iranian Armed Forces Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Bagheri, who is in charge of planning military strikes against Israel, the newspaper writes.
Iranian media reported that Iran has requested advanced air defense systems from Russia in preparation for a possible war with Israel. The NYT writes that two Iranian officials familiar with military planning confirmed that Iran had made such a request and said that Russia had begun delivering advanced radars and air defense systems.
"We are ready for full cooperation with Iran on regional issues," Shoigu said, according to Iranian state media.
General Bagheri told Shoigu that relations between their countries are "deep, long-term and strategic" and will only expand under the new Iranian government.
According to the NYT, Shoigu's visit underscores the close alliance between Iran and Russia, which has been strengthened since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iran has provided Russia with military drones, and the two countries recently signed an agreement to expand military and intelligence cooperation.
Recall
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a direct strike from Iran against Israel after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in his guest house while he was visiting Iran for the inauguration of the new president.
U.S. and Israeli officials have said they expect Iran and its allies in the region to launch a coordinated attack on Israel. These groups, known as the "axis of resistance," include Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi in Yemen.