Russia-Iran ties deepen; The deal for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets has been sealed

“Moscow is ready to deliver fighter jets to Iran,” official IRNA quoted the country’s mission to the UN as saying.

It added, “The Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets were technically approved by Iranian aviation experts and therefore…Iran finalized the contract to buy those planes.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Tehran of supplying Moscow with Shahid-136 “kamikaze” drones used in attacks on civilian targets since Russia’s invasion in February last year.

In addition, the US has expressed concern over growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warning in December that Russia was likely to sell its fighter jets to Iran.

Kirby said Iranian pilots were reportedly learning to fly Sukhoi fighter jets in Russia and that Tehran could receive the aircraft within the next year, which would “significantly strengthen Iran’s aviation.” Air Force relative to its regional neighbors”.

Iran currently has most of the Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that are from the Soviet era.

Some Chinese aircraft, including the F-7 and American F-4 and F-5 fighter jets that date back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, are also part of its fleet.

According to some reports, Russia has overtaken China As the largest investor in Iran.

Russia has spent about $2.7 billion on two oil projects in the western province of Ilam since hardline Ibrahim Raisi’s government came to power in August 2021.

There have been a number of high-level visits and a series of agreements to expand trade and military cooperation between the two countries.

In addition, Iran and Russia have linked their interbank communication and transfer systems to help promote trade and financial transactions.