2024-09-14 21:04:33
Tehran: Iran has reportedly sent short-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) to Russia, which is embroiled in a war with Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed that missiles have been sent from Iran to Russia. Fateh-110, Fateh-360 and Zolfaghar systems have been delivered to Moscow from Iran. Fateh is capable of carrying 500 kg payload and Zolfaghar can carry heavy weapons up to 700 km. Russia is expected to get direct help in the war against Ukraine by getting these missiles, but the question is what will Iran gain from this, which has made this deal by incurring the displeasure of America.
According to a Firstpost report, the US Treasury Department has said that Russia received its first shipment of Iranian missiles in early September this month. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies shows the Russian ship Port Olya 3, which reportedly carried the missiles from Iran’s Amirabad port to Russia’s Astrakhan. The report suggests that Russia has not yet deployed these Iranian-made missiles in combat but Moscow has begun training its forces to use them.
What does Iran gain by sending missiles to Russia?
Iran has both immediate and long-term benefits from sending ballistic missiles to Russia. According to the Atlantic Council, Iran has long wanted to acquire advanced Russian military technology, including Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defense. Russia has so far been hesitant to transfer technology. The post-missile delivery environment could be helpful in delivering military technology to Iran.
According to a report by Hannah Notte and Jim Lamson of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Iran is eyeing many of Russia’s weapons systems. Russia’s dependence on Iranian military hardware has increased significantly since 2022. Iran has also supplied a large number of Shahed-136 drones to Russia. Russia has used these drones to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Now Iran has strengthened it against Ukraine by giving it ballistic missiles. In such a situation, Iran can now get the necessary military technology from Russia, which will strengthen it against its opponents like Israel.
Iran’s growing military cooperation with Russia clearly benefits it, but it is not without risks. Iran may have to face new sanctions from the US and the West, while Russia may also have to face the displeasure of Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Despite all this, Iran is focusing on becoming a major power in the region by increasing its military capabilities.