As the Middle East teeters on the brink of war, Russia has stepped in to bolster Iran’s military capabilities. Amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Russia has begun supplying Iran with advanced radar and air defense systems. These systems are believed to be crucial in protecting Iran from potential Israeli retaliation for a planned offensive against Israel, which Iran has vowed to carry out in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.
Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s killing, vowing revenge. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered direct attacks on Israel. The New York Times reported that Russia has initiated the delivery of advanced radar and air defense systems to Iran, following Iran’s request for these systems. The report of these deliveries came during a visit by top Russian official Sergei Shoigu to Iran on Monday. Shoigu, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iranian military chief Brigadier General Mohammad Bagheri. The New York Times reported that Bagheri is overseeing the planning of Iran’s offensive against Israel.
The deepening alliance between Russia and Iran has been evident in recent years. Russia relies heavily on Iranian drones for its war in Ukraine, and the two nations have recently agreed to enhance their military and intelligence cooperation. Along with China and North Korea, Iran and Russia have emerged as an anti-Western bloc, aiming to undermine the existing rules-based democratic world order and establish their own.
Despite warnings from Western and regional leaders urging both Iran and Israel to avoid actions that could lead to a full-scale war, Iran has reportedly shown little concern. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has informed Arab countries that it remains unconcerned if its attack on Israel triggers a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The US and Israel have assessed that an Iranian attack is imminent. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously stated that the attack could occur on Monday or Tuesday. In response, the US has deployed additional fighter jets, warships, and an aircraft carrier to the region to protect its interests and support Israel in defending against Iran’s anticipated barrage. The US aims to revive the Western and regional coalition formed in April, when US, British, French, Jordanian, and Saudi militaries collaborated to assist Israel in fending off a previous Iranian attack. However, the rise of anti-Israel sentiment following Haniyeh’s assassination has made reviving the coalition challenging, and it remains unclear whether Arab countries will participate in the defensive coalition this time.
