Recent reports from CNN say that “Iran is preparing to send approximately 1,000 additional weapons, including surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles and more attack drones, to Russia to use in its war against Ukraine,” officials from a Western country that closely monitors Iran’s weapons program told CNN.
This is a new phase in the Iran-Russia alliance.
Although Moscow and Tehran have worked together for decades, it was usually Iran that needed know-how and weapons, so it usually relied on Russia as the senior partner in the relationship.
Iran was also under sanctions and needed Russia’s help with the Western powers. Back in 2009 when the US under the Obama administration decided to shift policies on Russia and Iran, Tehran saw an opening with the West. In those days, Iran was using its nuclear weapons development as blackmail, which would eventually result in the Iran deal of 2015.
The US at the time thought that working with Russia could help open a channel to Iran. Russia, playing the “good cop” in the strategy where Iran is the “bad cop,” agreed to help the West pave the way to new ties with the Islamic Republic. Russia would benefit on the sidelines of the deal. READ MORE
