Russia’s SU-35 is one of the country’s most advanced jets and would update much of Iran’s aging fleet of US-bought jets [Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Image]
Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday, amid Western concerns about Tehran and Moscow’s growing military cooperation.
This is the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the purchase of Su-35 jets. However, Ali Shadmani, who was quoted by the Student News Network, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.
“Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and naval forces. The production of military equipment has also accelerated,” the deputy Coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters said.
“If the enemy acts foolishly, it will taste the bitter taste of being hit by our missiles, and none of its interests in the occupied territories will remain safe,” Shadmani warned referring to Iran’s arch-rival in the region, Israel.
In 2024 Iran and Israel conducted strikes against each other as part of regional fallout over Israel’s war on Gaza, with Iran firing hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel on two separate occasions, and Israel striking strategic targets, such as air defence sites, inside Iran including around the capital Tehran.Â
In November 2023, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Tehran had finalised arrangements to buy Russian fighter jets.
Earlier this month, Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership which did not mention arms transfers but said the two will develop their “military-technical cooperation.”
Iran’s air force has only a few dozen strike aircraft, including Russian jets as well as ageing US models acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.Â
(Reuters & The New Arab Staff)
