Iran’s regime Defense Ministry has announced a 40% surge in arms sales to foreign nations in the past 11 months. Reports suggest that Iran has transferred around 400 ballistic missiles, primarily from the Fateh-110 family, including the Zolfaghar, to Russia. The Zolfaghar, a road-mobile missile, has a range of 300 to 700 km (186 to 435 miles), as experts have disclosed.
Despite the increased arms sales, both Iran’s defense ministry and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have refrained from commenting on the matter. Shipments began in early January, following a finalized deal reached in meetings between Iranian and Russian military and security officials held in Tehran and Moscow the previous year.
Iranian military officials have confirmed multiple shipments of missiles, transported either by ship through the Caspian Sea or by air. The lifting of U.N. Security Council restrictions on Iran’s missile exports in October was noted, but the U.S. and the European Union maintained sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program due to concerns about weapon exports to proxies in the Middle East and to Russia.
Despite ongoing conflicts, Iran has persistently supplied drones and missiles to Russia. This includes Shahed drones, which have played a role in Moscow’s long-range assaults on Ukrainian territories during the Ukrainian-Russia conflict. In December, Ukraine’s air force reported Russia deploying 3,700 Shahed drones with extensive range and destructive capabilities.
Iran’s pursuit of deeper ties with Russia and China to counteract U.S. sanctions and political isolation is evident. In November, Iran finalized agreements with Russia for the procurement of Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 pilot training aircraft.
