Shahed-136 drone. Photo: Getty Images
Russia is supplying Iran with attack drones – FT
According to Western intelligence cited by the Financial Times, Russia is delivering drones and other support to Iran as conflict with the US and Israel intensifies.
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Russia is completing a phased delivery of drones, medical supplies and food to Iran, supporting its ally in the conflict with the US and Israel.
Source: Financial Times, citing Western intelligence reports and officials
Details: The FT reported that senior officials from Tehran and Moscow had begun secretly discussing drone supplies just days after Israel and the US conducted strikes on Iran. The delivery process began in early March and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Although the exact type of drones Russia has agreed to supply is not known, sources suggest that Moscow is providing Geran-2 drones, which it produces based on Iran's Shahed-136 design.
"A senior western official said Moscow was stepping in to shore up not only the Iranians' fighting capabilities but also to underwrite the broader political stability of Tehran's regime," the FT noted.
Tehran has also requested more advanced air defence systems from the Kremlin.
The two countries signed an agreement for the delivery of 500 Verba man-portable air defence systems and 2,500 missiles for them in December 2025.
Meanwhile, according to sources, Moscow rejected Iran's request for S-400 systems, one of Russia's most advanced air defence systems, likely due to concerns about escalating tensions with the US.
Background:
Russia has publicly maintained that it has been supplying Iran only with humanitarian aid since the beginning of the conflict. It stated last week that it had sent more than 13 tonnes of medicines to Iran via Azerbaijan and planned to continue deliveries.
Last week, Israel struck the Iranian port of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea, which plays a key role in transporting drones, ammunition and other military equipment between Russia and Iran,
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier he is not concerned that Iran is receiving intelligence from Russia to strike the positions of US troops.
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