Russian missile experts have flown to Iran over the past year, indicating deepening military ties amidst conflicts with Israel. The bookings indicate involvement of senior military personnel, specializing in air defense and artillery, signaling possible enhancement of Iran’s missile capabilities in light of ongoing tensions. Both Iranian and Russian official sources have declined to comment on these developments.
Recent investigations reveal that several senior Russian missile experts have traveled to Iran amidst escalating tensions with Israel. A total of seven experts, whose expertise spans air defense, rocketry, and artillery, took two flights from Moscow to Tehran on April 24 and September 17 of the previous year. All seven possess senior military backgrounds, with six holding official passports designated for government work and military personnel assignments abroad.
An anonymous official from Iran’s defense ministry indicated that these Russian experts conducted multiple visits to Iranian missile sites last year, including some underground facilities. Despite attempts to confirm the specific activities undertaken by these visitors, the precise nature of their engagement in Iran remains uncertain. A Western defense official corroborated that some Russian experts visited an Iranian missile base along the Caspian Sea coast in September.
The Russian specialists were reportedly traveling under VIP status, as confirmed by information provided by activist hackers opposing the Iranian government. The flight records, which include personal details of the military personnel, indicate that they were likely on state business. Notably, cooperation between Iran and Russia has been burgeoning, particularly since the signing of a 20-year military treaty.
Included among the identified experts are individuals who have held roles at prestigious military institutions. For instance, Andrei Gusev is recorded as the deputy head of the faculty at a major artillery engineering institute, while Oleg Fedosov is involved in future weapons systems development. This involvement is significant as the Iran-Russia partnership has implications for global conflicts, including Russia’s ongoing military activities in Ukraine, which have seen the deployment of Iranian drone technology.
The Iranian and Russian defense ministries have both refrained from providing comments regarding these matters. While attempts to contact the seven Russian specialists have yielded varied responses, the collective impact of their visits raises concerns about the regional developments in terms of defense cooperation between Iran and Russia, particularly as hostilities with Israel continue to evolve.
In summary, the visits by Russian missile experts to Iran signify a deepening military collaboration between the two nations amidst their respective conflicts with Israel. This relationship has the potential to significantly influence military strategies in the Middle East and beyond. With Iran’s escalating defense capabilities appearing to be supported by Russian expertise, the implications for regional security remain critical.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
