The Defense Ministry of Iran’s regime has reported a 40% increase in the country’s arms sales to foreign nations over the past 11 months. Reports have indicated that Iran has transferred hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia.
According to Reuters, Iran’s regime has supplied Russia with a significant quantity of potent surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. This provision includes approximately 400 missiles, many of which belong to the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons, such as the Zolfaghar, as disclosed by three Iranian sources. The Zolfaghar, a road-mobile missile, possesses a striking range of 300 to 700 km (186 to 435 miles), according to experts.
Both the defense ministry and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) of Iran’s regime, an elite force overseeing the regime’s ballistic missile program, have refrained from commenting on the matter. Shipments commenced in early January following a finalized deal reached during meetings between Iranian and Russian military and security officials held in Tehran and Moscow late last year, as per one of the Iranian sources.
An Iranian regime military official, along with another senior official, indicated that multiple shipments of missiles have occurred, with plans for additional deliveries in the upcoming weeks. Some missiles were transported to Russia via ship through the Caspian Sea, while others were conveyed by air.
The lifting of U.N. Security Council restrictions on Iran’s export of certain missiles, drones, and technologies in October was noted, although the United States and European Union maintained sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program due to concerns regarding weapon exports to proxies in the Middle East and to Russia.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed Russia’s reception of a substantial quantity of missiles from Iran recently, without elaborating further. In early January, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby expressed concern over Russia’s potential acquisition of short-range ballistic weapons from Iran.
Since the onset of the Ukrainian-Russia conflict, Iran’s regime has been supplying drones to Russia. Despite Kyiv’s repeated appeals to Tehran to cease providing Shahed drones to Russia, which have become integral to Moscow’s long-range assaults on Ukrainian territories, Iran has persisted in the shipments alongside various missiles.
In December, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia had deployed 3,700 Shahed drones during the conflict, known for their extensive range and destructive capabilities upon impact.
Iran’s hardline clerical rulers have actively pursued deeper ties with Russia and China, aiming to counteract U.S. sanctions and alleviate political isolation. In November, Iran finalized arrangements with Russia for the procurement of Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 pilot training aircraft.
