 "Russia readiness to expand military ties with Iran gives Israel cause for concern")
The recent exchange of unprecedented missile attacks between Israel and Iran has momentarily subsided but the unprecedented confrontation between these historical adversaries has raised questions over Russia’s involvement in the evolving crisis in the West Asia.
Reports from both US and Israeli sources quoted by Bloomberg suggested that Israel conducted an operation targeting Isfahan (Iran) approximately a week ago, destroying a portion of an air-defence system provided by Moscow. In a subsequent development, an Iranian state news agency initially announced the imminent arrival of new fighter jets from Russia only to retract the statement later without providing clarification.
Today, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his Iranian counterpart Gharaei Ashtiani at a meeting on Friday that Russia is ready to expand military and technical cooperation with Iran, the RIA state news agency reported. Contacts between the countries’ military departments have increased signficantly recently, Shoigu was cited as saying.
The two ministers were attending a meeting in Kazakhstan of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a security grouping that includes Russia, India, China, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The suggestion that Iran is sourcing weapons from Russia has raised concerns in Israel about the implications of expanding Moscow-Tehran defense ties — especially at a time when Israel and Iran appear closer than ever to all out war. Israel has its own backer in the US, and plans to use a recently-passed $26 billion aid package from Washington to strengthen its air-defense capabilities.
Russia has been relying on Iran for drones to support its invasion of Ukraine, giving the Islamic Republic leverage to bolster its armory with Russian help. The supplies of the two countries complement each other: Russia needs more drones and missiles, Iran lacks sophisticated air defense systems and fighter jets.
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