In what could be a significant development in their defense partnership, Iran is reportedly set to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine. A recent report from Reuters on Aug. 10, citing information from multiple anonymous sources, detailed that Tehran is preparing to supply Moscow with hundreds of powerful Fath-360 and Ababil surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. This reporting aligns with previous allegations that a Russian delegation visited Iran in mid-December 2023 to inspect and acquire Iranian ballistic missile systems. It is also reported that, in accordance with the contract signed with Tehran, dozens of Russian military personnel are currently being trained in Iran on how to operate the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile systems.  

If accurate, this development would bring another significant advancement in Russian-Iranian cooperation, augmenting Russia's precision-strike capacity in Ukraine. This new dynamic in the Middle East, if indeed at the center of Tehran's decision, could have far-reaching strategic implications. 

Russia-Iran military cooperation 

"Iran's interest in enhancing military cooperation with Russia is not new. For years the Islamic Republic has deployed various Russian-made air defense systems, including the S-300 missile system," said Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. "The military aspect of the bilateral relationship has expanded significantly since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, during which Tehran has supplied thousands of drones to Moscow while seeking advanced military equipment in return," the expert added.