The recent conflict between Iran and Israel could hurt Russia鈥檚 ability to receive ballistic missiles from Tehran. Iran is now likely to prioritize building its own missile stockpiles instead of sending weapons abroad, a senior NATO official said.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Iran had agreed to supply ballistic missiles for Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine. The two countries also signed a defense pact aimed at boosting military cooperation.
鈥淭he recent hostilities between Israel and Iran will certainly negatively impact Iran鈥檚 future donations, specifically missiles,鈥 the NATO official told The Telegraph.
If that happens, Moscow would have to rely more on its own missile production or turn to North Korea for supplies, the official added.
The source also said Iran鈥檚 support for Russia鈥檚 production of attack drones might decrease. But this is unlikely to be a serious problem for Moscow, which now produces Iranian-designed Shahed-type one-way attack drones domestically.
The NATO official said Russia might use Israel鈥檚 recent attacks on Iran鈥檚 air defenses as a way to market its own S-400 missile systems to other countries.
Russian intelligence operatives could also travel to Iran to examine information gathered from recent Israeli F-35 airstrikes, the official said.
The military collaboration between Russia and Iran during the war in Ukraine has significantly deepened, with Iran supplying Russia with a substantial quantity of weapons, drones, and munitions that have altered the conflict鈥檚 dynamics.
Since mid-2022, Iran has provided Russia with thousands of drones, notably the Shahed series, which Russia has used extensively in Ukraine.
These drones, including the Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 models, have been deployed as loitering munitions targeting Ukrainian military and critical infrastructure, compensating for Russia鈥檚 dwindling stock of cruise missiles reliant on imported components.
In addition to drones, Iran has escalated its support by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. Reports confirm deliveries of short-range ballistic missile systems such as the Fath-360 and Fateh-110, marking a serious upgrade in the lethality of Iranian assistance.
US military officials have testified that Iran donated over 400 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, and intelligence sources indicate that Russian personnel have trained in Iran to operate these missile systems.
This arms transfer is part of a broader strategic defense cooperation pact signed by the two countries, which includes joint military exercises, co-production of military equipment, and increased intelligence sharing.
Russian forces have also begun domestic production of Iranian-designed drones, such as the Shahed-type, at facilities like the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, reflecting a high level of technological and operational integration between the two militaries.