Iran has signed a secret €500 million arms deal with Russia to rebuild air defences, weakened during last year’s war with Israel, the Financial Times has reported. The agreement, signed in December in Moscow, will see Russia deliver 500 Verba launch units and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years.
Leaked Russian documents and sources familiar with the deal indicate that Iran formally requested the systems in July 2025, according to FT.
The request came shortly after a 12-day conflict in which Israeli strikes heavily degraded Tehran’s integrated air-defence network. During that campaign, Israel’s air force achieved air superiority over large parts of the country, highlighting Tehran’s urgent need to rapidly restore its capabilities.
The deal was handled by Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state agency for the export and import of defence-related products, technologies and services, and Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics.
The contract was negotiated by Moscow-based official Ruhollah Katebi, the publication noted. Katebi had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2024 for acting as a liaison between Russia and Iran on military sales.
According to documents reviewed by the FT, the 9M336 missiles are priced at €170,000 each, with launch units costing €40,000 apiece. The deal also includes 500 Mowgli-2 night-vision sights for low-light targeting. Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2029, although some units may have been shipped earlier.
Recent flights from Russia to Iran reportedly included military cargo, with at least six Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters received in January.
The Verba is one of Russia’s most modern portable air-defence systems, capable of targeting low-flying aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. Operated by small mobile teams, it allows forces to deploy dispersed defences rapidly without relying on fixed radar installations, which are more vulnerable to attack.
Experts say the Verba systems, while not radically enhancing Iran’s overall military capability, could complicate low-altitude operations by the U.S., particularly those involving helicopters or drones.
Throughout the past two years, Iran has been supplying drones and missiles to Russia during the war in Ukraine, FT stated. The two countries also signed a treaty strengthening bilateral ties in January 2025.
Analysts say the arms agreement signals Tehran’s shift in strategy after the devastating impact of Israel’s attacks on its air defences last year.
Western powers, including the UK, France and Germany, have sanctioned arms exports to Iran amid growing concerns over its nuclear programme.
However, Russia’s willingness to supply the systems suggests it has no intention of observing these “snapback” sanctions, according to analysts.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to di...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidence that decades of regional hostility will eventually give way to lasting stability.
Kazakhstan has restored oil production after an accident at the Tengiz oil field briefly disrupted output last week, while also signalling its readiness to increase crude shipments through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
Baku has once again become a focal point for international energy diplomacy, investment and strategic cooperation, as Baku Energy Week brings together policymakers, industry leaders and investors from around the world.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment