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Russian Missile Experts Allegedly Inspected Iranian Facilities During Rising Tensions with Israel.
Several Russian missile experts have visited Iran over the past year, highlighting the strengthening military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. According to travel records and employment data reviewed by Reuters, seven Russian military specialists were registered on flights from Moscow to Tehran on April 24 and September 17. Their passports, most of which carried the "20" prefix reserved for official state missions, suggest direct involvement by Russian authorities.
Iran’s Army and the Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out large-scale aerial maneuvers in 2020 (Picture source: ISNA)
These visits took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, marked by military strikes in April and October. While the precise activities of these experts in Iran remain unconfirmed, anonymous sources within the Iranian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian specialists inspected multiple missile production sites, including underground facilities. These high-security installations reportedly house advanced manufacturing capabilities, with production lines for ballistic missiles and long-range drones.
A Western defense official reported the presence of Russian experts at a missile base near the port of Amirabad on the Caspian Sea coast in September. This base is believed to play a key role in the storage and development of Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. These visits coincide with Iran's efforts to enhance its ballistic missile program, particularly by improving the accuracy and range of its missiles, raising international concerns. Recent Iranian missile tests have included modified versions of the Emad and Sejjil missiles, which have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, covering U.S. military bases in the Middle East and strategic sites in Israel.
The seven identified experts have notable military backgrounds, specializing in air defense systems, artillery, and advanced weapons development. Among them, two are colonels with expertise in air defense systems, three specialize in surface-to-surface missiles and precision artillery, and another has worked on advanced guidance systems essential for improving the accuracy of long-range strikes. Their presence in Iran underscores the growing military cooperation between the two nations, further strengthened by a 20-year military pact signed in January. This strategic alliance has already impacted the conflict in Ukraine, with Russia deploying Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones in attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
At the same time, Tehran has supplied Moscow with several hundred Fath-360 ballistic missiles, capable of striking targets up to 120 kilometers away. These missiles, derived from precision-guided rocket technology, can be launched from mobile platforms, offering greater operational flexibility. Reports indicate they have been used against Ukrainian cities such as Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv, increasing pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines.
These arms transfers are not isolated incidents. Intelligence sources suggest that Iran may also provide Russia with Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles, which have a range exceeding 300 kilometers. This would further expand Moscow’s arsenal against critical Ukrainian infrastructure. In response to these deliveries, the United States and the European Union have voiced concerns, describing them as an escalation of the conflict. Consequently, new sanctions have been imposed on Iran, targeting its national airline and other entities involved in these transfers.
These military interactions take place in a complex international landscape, marked by sanctions and concerns over arms proliferation. The Moscow-Tehran axis appears to be strengthening, driven by shared strategic interests in the face of Western economic and military pressures. The deepening of this military partnership could have significant geopolitical consequences, particularly by intensifying tensions in the Middle East and reshaping alliance dynamics against the United States and its partners.