Iran has been conducting secret diplomatic missions to Russia to bolster its military and defense capabilities, despite upcoming talks with the West designed to revive a nuclear treaty.
Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has met with senior Russian officials, The Times reports, in efforts to secure Russian assistance for its nuclear program and air defense capabilities.
Larijani is a former speaker of the Iranian parliament, a nuclear negotiator and a trusted loyalist of the ayatollahs' regime. He is a representative of Khamenei, who is extremely close to the regime, with a reputation for getting things done quickly. Late last year he was deployed to Damascus and Beirut several times in an effort to strengthen the "resistance", including after the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. His secret flights to Moscow imply a deepening of Iranian-Russian relations and increasing influence over each other, writes A2 CNN.
“As they are deepening their strategic relationship and Russia is dependent on Iran for missiles and drones, there is concern that Moscow is willing to cross previously established red lines on the Iranian nuclear program,” a Western intelligence source told The Times.
Iran is also seeking the latest version of the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet as it seeks to improve the operational capabilities of its air force, Western intelligence sources said. Reports suggest they have already been purchased. Tehran also wants to reinstall its air defense systems, which were destroyed by Israel during the latest round of strikes and counterattacks last year. The S-300 air defense missile systems were originally supplied by Russia.
Iran has also sought logistical assistance using Russia's extensive presence in the region to rearm the Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah, whose leadership and weapons arsenal have been largely removed by Israel in recent months. (A2 Televizion)
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