World

Russia Supplies Iran with 90 Advanced Missile Launchers Amid Expanding Military Ties

By Al Jazeera Staff

The Financial Times reported on Friday that Russia agreed in 2024 to supply Iran with 90 advanced missile launchers, citing documents from a major Russian defence manufacturer. The launchers are designed to carry Russia’s light multipurpose guided missile, the LMUR or Izdeliye 305, a precision weapon that entered service in 2022 and has been widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine. They are built for Russia’s Mi‑28 attack helicopters, which Iran already possesses. Al Jazeera was unable to confirm whether the order has been delivered.

The report came a day after a senior Iranian official visited Moscow to discuss expanding a defence pact signed the previous year. The visit was part of a broader effort to further develop bilateral cooperation, according to a Kremlin statement released on Friday. The two countries, both under heavy Western sanctions, signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in January 2025 covering trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education. The treaty took effect in October of that year but does not include a mutual defence clause.

During the meeting, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said the talks focused on security arrangements in the region and Russia’s support for ending what he called the US “aggression” against Iran. He also mentioned discussions about the post‑war period and regional security arrangements, and that further development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty was addressed.

Iran has also reportedly purchased Russian Su‑35 fighter jets, and has supplied Moscow with ammunition, artillery shells, firearms, short‑range ballistic missiles, helmets, flak jackets, and possibly drones. Analysts note that Russia is balancing its support for Iran with its other relationships, including with other Middle Eastern countries and the United States. Hanna Notte of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies said Russia’s involvement in the war is limited by certain red lines, making the support it has provided to Iran operationally helpful but not a game changer.