Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles is part of the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia. Iran seeks financial injections from Russia into its economy, Russian Su-35 fighter jets, and assistance in modernizing its cyber capabilities and missile-space programs.
Details: ISW analysts have repeatedly reported on how Moscow and Tehran have expanded their economic, media, military, and political cooperation after Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Iran aims to gain economic and military benefits from its partnership with Russia and has sought financial aid for its “ailing” economy in exchange for selling weapons to the Kremlin, ISW reported in September 2023.
Iran has also attempted to acquire Russian Su-35 fighter jets, and Iranian officials “pressed” Russia for the delivery of Su-35s during a meeting with Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu in Tehran in August 2024.
Additionally, Iranian leaders have requested Russian support in modernizing their cyber capabilities and missile-space programs as part of an expanded military cooperation.
It has been reported that the United States and European countries have prepared a package of sanctions against Iran in response to this cooperation.