Revelations About Russia’s Secret Military Missions in Iran During the War
Recent reports reveal Russia’s covert military aid to Iran, including drones and intelligence, intensifying their alliance amid regional conflicts and signaling Moscow’s strategic support beyond Ukraine.
Revelations from international media reports are now coming to light about Russia’s secret military missions in Iran. As a result of the close collaboration between Iran and Russia, a major fire broke out following the Iranian attack on an oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
According to reports, Russia has provided Tehran with significant support, including satellite imagery, targeting data, and intelligence information from secret services. This move marks the first time Moscow appears to be offering lethal support to Iran since the start of the war, according to the Financial Times.
Russia as Iran’s “Eyes”
Russia is said to have provided critical support, including satellite images and targeting data. In other words, the same kind of assistance the Americans provide to the Ukrainians in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Deliveries of weapons such as drones would constitute the first proof of Moscow’s willingness to provide lethal support to Iran since the outset of the conflict.
Russia has already begun delivering drones, medicines, and food to Iran, according to Western intelligence agencies, which are analyzing Moscow’s efforts to keep its ally alert.
Senior officials from both countries have started secret discussions about the delivery of drones, a few days after Israeli and U.S. attacks in Tehran.
The delivery process started in early March and was expected to be completed by the end of the month. At the beginning of the war, analysts had noted that Russia, preoccupied with developments in Ukraine, did not provide significant assistance to Iran. However, recent evidence indicates that its support has intensified.
When asked about the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) shipment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov avoided giving a clear answer, emphasizing that many false reports circulate and that Russia continues dialogue with the Iranian leadership.
Moscow Aims to Stabilize the Iranian Regime
According to a senior Western official, Russia is investing not only in the military strengthening of Iran but also in the political stability of the regime in Tehran. Publicly, Moscow has referred to humanitarian aid, stating that it has sent more than 13 tons of medicines to Iran via Azerbaijan and intends to continue deliveries.
Iran’s strategy includes launching offensive drones throughout the Middle East, with Tehran having deployed over 3,000 drones since the start of the war. Russia is manufacturing attack drones based on Iranian models used in Ukraine, modified to evade air defense systems.
It is unclear which drones Russia has sent to Iran, but models like the Geran-2, which is based on the Iranian Shahed-136, are likely candidates. Deliveries of military equipment may also explain the recent Israeli attacks in the Caspian Sea, where Israel targeted key transportation routes of military material between Russia and Iran.
Finally, Tehran has requested more advanced air defense capabilities from Russia and has agreed to the delivery of 500 portable Verba launchers and 2,500 9M336 missiles over a three-year period. However, Russia has rejected Iran’s requests for the S-400 system, one of Moscow’s most advanced air defense systems.
Video of the Verba Air Defense System
