ISW determines how Russia could pay Iran for missiles

Ivashkiv Olena — Saturday, 7 September 2024, 06:16

The launch of the Iranian-made Fath-360 missile during a military exercise. Photo: Wikipedia

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the supply of Iranian-produced ballistic missiles to Russia is part of a strategic partnership between Iran and Russia. Iran needs Russia to inject money into the country's economy, Russian Su-35 fighter jets and Russia's help in modernising its cyber capabilities and space and missile programmes.

Source: ISW

Details: Analysts from ISW have frequently documented the increasing economic, media, military, and political collaboration between Moscow and Tehran since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In a report from September 2023, ISW highlighted Iran's efforts to secure economic and military benefits from its alliance with Russia, including seeking financial aid to support its faltering economy in return for supplying weapons to the Kremlin. Furthermore, Iran has shown interest in acquiring Russian Su-35 fighter jets, with Iranian officials reportedly applying pressure on Moscow to deliver these jets during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Tehran in August 2024.

In addition, Iranian leaders have asked for Russian cooperation to modernise their cyber capabilities and advance their space and missile programmes as part of their expanding military ties.

It is also reported that the United States and European countries have prepared a new sanctions package against Iran in response to these actions.

To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 6 September:

US and European officials reported that Iran delivered hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to support Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles is part of the deepening strategic partnership between Iran and Russia.
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