Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Saturday that there are “no limits” to military and technical cooperation between Russia and Iran, signaling the continued expansion of strategic ties between the two countries.
Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov was asked whether Russia was supplying Iran with S-400 air defense systems and Su-35 fighter jets. He responded, “We have no restrictions on military and technical cooperation with Iran, and we are currently supplying Iran with the equipment it needs.”
His remarks follow reports that Moscow may have agreed to deliver up to 48 Su-35 fighter jets to Iran and amid speculation of ongoing Russian arms deliveries since the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June.
Lavrov further stated, “We will develop military-technical cooperation with Iran. After you noted the UN Security Council sanctions, we have no restrictions.” Russia has previously informed the United Nations that it does not consider the snapback sanctions imposed on Iran in September to be legitimate and has declared that it will not recognize them.
Flight tracking data appears to support indications of increased Russian military activity in Iran. Since July, at least seven large Russian cargo aircraft — including An-124 and Il-76 transports — have reportedly landed at Iranian bases. New MiG-29 fighters and Yak-130 trainer/light attack aircraft have also been sighted, corroborating claims made by Iranian officials that MiG-29 fighters had been received as some sort of stop-gap ahead of Su-35 deliveries.
In January, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Massoud Pezeshkian signed the Iranian–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. After ratification by both parliaments, the treaty entered into force on October 2. The agreement broadens cooperation across defense, energy, trade, finance, counterterrorism, and culture, emphasizing closer military-technical coordination. However, it stops short of a mutual defense pact such as the one Russia signed with North Korea in August.