Report: Iran Receives Missile Defense Systems From Russia
Amid fears that Iran-Israel tensions could soon escalate to an all-out regional war, unnamed Iranian officials, speaking to the New York Times, said that Russia has begun supplying the country with advanced air defense and radar equipment, after officials in Tehran asked Moscow for support....
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Facts
- Amid fears that Iran-Israel tensions could soon escalate to an all-out regional war, unnamed Iranian officials, speaking to the New York Times, said that Russia has begun supplying the country with advanced air defense and radar equipment, after officials in Tehran asked Moscow for support.[1]
- The report came as Sergei Shoigu, Russia's former defense minister, visited Iran on Monday and met with the country's top leadership, including the newly elected Pres. Masoud Pezeshkian.[2]
- According to Iranian media, Pezeshkian told Shoigu: 'Iran is by no means seeking to expand the scope of the crisis in the region, but this [Israeli] regime will certainly receive a response for its crimes and arrogance.'[2]
- Two unnamed senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Shoigu also suggested that Iran's response avoid civilian casualties.[3]
- Following the twin assassinations of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon last week, US officials said they believe that an attack on Israel is imminent, but that they have been working through diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions.[4]
- In a report in Israel's Kan News on Tuesday, sources said that US officials told Israeli counterparts 'Don't push it,' in the wake of an Iranian attack. 'Think carefully before you attack in return. The goal at the end of the day is not to lead to an all-out war.'[5]
Sources: [1]Timesofisrael (a), [2]Iran International, [3]Reuters, [4]Timesofisrael (b) and [5]Timesofisrael (c).
Narratives
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Ynetnews. It is no surprise that Iran is seeking Russia's support as both share a common enemy in the US and NATO. And, while Russia is struggling financially, it cannot afford to reject Tehran's request for weaponry as it is heavily reliant on Iranian drones for its Ukrainian war effort.
- Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Iran International. Iran is not seeking to expand the scope of the crisis in the Middle East. However, Israel must be punished for breaching Iran's sovereign borders and carrying out an extrajudicial assassination of a political official on Iranian soil.
