Russian Missile Experts Strengthen Ties with Iran Amid Regional Conflicts
Senior Russian missile experts have visited Iran multiple times over the past year, enhancing military collaboration amid escalating tensions with Israel. The specialists, identified through travel records, possess significant military expertise, including air defense and rocketry. Their involvement raises concerns regarding Iran’s missile capabilities amid its conflicts with Israel.
In the past year, several senior Russian missile experts have traveled to Iran as collaboration between Tehran and Moscow has strengthened, particularly in defense initiatives. These specialists, with significant military backgrounds, flew from Moscow to Tehran on two separate occasions: April 24 and September 17 last year, as indicated by travel documents and flight manifests. Notably, six of the seven experts possess official government passports designated for military personnel on state business.
The Iranian defense ministry has noted that Russian experts conducted multiple inspections of Iranian missile production facilities last year, including underground locations. Additionally, a Western defense official revealed that a group of Russian missile specialists visited a missile base near Amirabad on the Caspian Sea coast last September. However, it remains unclear if this visit included the Russians who flew on the aforementioned flights.
The seven individuals possess extensive military expertise; two hold ranks of colonel, while two are lieutenant colonels. Their specialties encompass air defense systems, rocketry, artillery, and advanced weapons development. Their visits coincided with heightened military hostilities between Iran and Israel, marked by exchanges of strikes throughout 2023. Despite attempts to contact these individuals, many denied involvement in military operations, while Iranian and Russian officials refrained from commenting on the matter.
The collaboration between Russia and Iran has escalated following the signing of a military pact earlier this year, significantly impacting Russia’s military strategies in Ukraine, where Iranian-designed drones are deployed. The travel details of the specialists were revealed by an activist hacker group, which reported their travels were conducted under VIP status. Additional corroboration of these flights was obtained from Russian state databases.
Among the identified experts, some have shown affiliation with prestigious military training institutions and missile-range operations, suggesting their impending role in augmenting Iran’s military capabilities. Furthermore, some specialists were seen returning from Tehran in October, using government-issued passports. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of their visits for regional security remain significant.
The influx of Russian missile experts to Iran underscores the deepening military ties between the two nations amid ongoing regional conflicts. With extensive military backgrounds and expertise in missile technology, these specialists may significantly impact Iran’s defense capabilities. As tensions with Israel increase, cooperation with Russia may play a pivotal role in shaping future military strategies in the region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
