Russia Reportedly Delivers Air Defense, Radar Equipment to Iran

Citing two unnamed Iranian officials, The New York Times reported on August 6 that Russia has started to deliver radars and air defense equipment to Iran ahead of a possible war with Israel. On July 31, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a direct strike on Israel to avenge the assassination in Tehran of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, stoking fears of a wider war in the Middle East. On August 5, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, arrived in Tehran to meet with senior regime officials as the Islamic Republic weighs attack plans. Shoigu told Iranian state media that Moscow is “ready for full cooperation with Iran on regional issues,” while Iranian commander Mohammad Bagheri — who was part of the Iranian delegation that welcomed Shoigu — noted the “deep, long term and strategic” relationship between Russia and Iran