(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — At a time when the United States accused Teheran of dispatching 400 ballistic missiles to Russia, Iranian Defense Ministry announced a 40 percent increase in its weapons exports over an 11-month period.
The national news agency, Tasnim, quoted ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik stating that the country’s arms exports had seen an increase in both “quantity and quality.”
However, he did not disclose the types of weapons exported.
In October last year, after more than decade-long United Nations Security Council (UNSC) arms embargo on Iran, part of the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was lifted.
This agreement was intended to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
With the lifting of the arms embargo, Iran is now able to import and export ballistic missiles and drones with a range of 300km or more.
However, the three countries known as the “E3” — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — have not lifted their arms sanctions as outlined in the 2015 agreement due to Iran’s alleged violation of the deal.
Shortly after the lifting of the arms embargo against Iran last October, Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohamad Reza-Astiani reportedly said the country is ready to establish and develop defense and strategic relations with all countries, especially Islamic nations.
A few days ago, the international news agency Reuters reported that Iran had sent approximately 400 high-powered surface-to-surface missiles to Russia, in another sign of the increasingly close defense and military relations between the two countries.
The shipment of these missiles will undoubtedly aid Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Six sources cited by Reuters indicated that most of these short-range missiles belong to the “Fateh-110” family, such as “Zolfaghar.”
According to military experts, the surface-to-surface missiles sent by Iran to Russia are capable of hitting targets accurately from distances between 300km to 700km.
The report mentioned that Iran began sending these missiles to Russia last month after negotiations between the two sides in Tehran and Moscow concluded last year.
Iran is believed to be using ships through the Caspian Sea route and cargo planes to deliver these missiles to Russia.
Tehran is also expected to continue sending missiles and various other weapon systems to Russia in the coming months.
To support Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, Iran and North Korea are alleged to have sent various types of weaponry to assist their ally, including unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery shells, rockets, and others.
Among them is the Iran-made “Shahed-136” suicide drone, which has been effectively used by Russia to attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure in the Eastern European country.
Russia and Iran are also reported to be cooperating to establish “Shahed” drone manufacturing facilities in the town of Yelabuga, south of Moscow. — DSA