U.S. Officials Are Saying Russia Is Moving Forward With Plans To Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles

Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles © Provided by The Wall Street Journal  

Wall Street Journal: Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles 

Russia is planning to buy short-range ballistic missiles from Iran, a step that would enhance Moscow’s ability to target Ukraine’s infrastructure at a critical moment in the conflict, U.S. officials said. 

Moscow’s plans have provoked deep concern within the Biden administration and come as support wanes in Congress for continued U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. Lawmakers have yet to pass a bill that would provide additional funding for Ukraine. 

“The United States is concerned that Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran are actively advancing,” one of the U.S. officials said. “We assess that Russia intends to purchase missile systems from Iran.” 

Delivery of the Iranian missiles could happen as soon as this spring if the purchase proceeds, but U.S. officials don’t believe the deal has been completed.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Russia moves forward with Iran deal to purchase ballistic missiles, report says (FOX News)  

Update #2: Russia appears poised to purchase ballistic missiles from Iran, official says (CNN)  

WNU Editor: The Western narrative is that Russia wants ballistic missiles to overcome Ukraine's Western supplied air defenses .... Russia wants missiles from North Korea and Iran because they can exploit a gap in Ukraine's air defenses, analysts say (Business Insider).

China, Russia, Iran Wrap Up Joint Military Drills In Gulf Just Ahead Of Xi-Putin Visit

Iran, China, and Russia hold joint drills in Sea of Oman

Dubbed "the Marine Security Belt 2023", the military maneuver aims to strengthen regional security.

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Zero Hedge: China, Russia, Iran Wrap Up Joint Military Drills In Gulf Just Ahead Of Xi-Putin Visit 

The Biden administration and National Security Council say they closely monitored multiple days of rare joint naval drills between China, Russia, and Iran held in the Gulf of Oman. 

The "Security Bond-2023" exercises took place from Wednesday through Saturday, and were focused on deepening "practical cooperation between the participating countries’ navies ... and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability," according to China's Defense Ministry. The allies confirmed the exercises concluded Saturday and hailed their 'success'.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Not surprised these exercises ended today. The media attention tomorrow will be on the Putin - Xi summit in Moscow.

US Warns Of Expanding Iran, Russia Defence Alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan September 15, 2022 [File: Alexandr Demyanchuk/Sputnik via Reuters]  

DW: US alarmed by growing Iran, Russia ties amid Ukraine assault 

Russia and Iran are collaborating more closely than ever in the areas of fighter jets and lethal drones, according to US intelligence. Moscow has rebuked Washington's assessment, as the invasion of Ukraine presses on. 

The United States warned on Friday that Russia and Iran are ramping up military cooperation to an extent that is "harmful" to Ukraine and Iran's neighbors. 

 Citing intelligence assessments, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described "an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership." 

Read more .... 

US Warns Of Expanding Iran, Russia Defence Alliance 

Russia-Iran military partnership 'unprecedented' and growing, officials say -- Washington Post  

U.S. accuses Russia of providing weapons, fighter jets to Iran -- AP  

Ukraine war: US says Iran now Russia's 'top military backer' -- BBC  

White House warns of deepening Russia and Iran military ties -- The Hill 

Russia and Iran building ‘full-fledged’ military alliance, US says -- NYPost  

US warns of expanding Iran, Russia defence ‘partnership’ -- Al Jazeera  

Russian Su-35s Could Soon Be Delivered To Iran, Pilots Trained Last Spring -- Warzone/The Drive

Russia's Secretary Of The Security Council Nikolai Patrushev Is In Tehran Today For Security Consultations

This handout picture provided by the Iranian presidential office shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meeting with Russia's Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev in Tehran, Nov. 9, 2022. (Photo by Iranian Presidency/ AFP)  

VOA/Reuters: Putin Ally Meets Iran Leader as Moscow Deepens Tehran Ties 

A leading ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday on a trip to deepen trade and security cooperation, as Moscow looks to shore up its economy and bolster its war effort in Ukraine. 

Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev's visit was a sign of Iran's growing importance as a supportive partner and weapons supplier at a time when Moscow is isolated by Western sanctions and faces intense Ukrainian military pressure. 

With Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine in its ninth month, Raisi and Patrushev discussed "various issues of Russian-Iranian cooperation in the field of security, as well as a number of international problems," Interfax news agency said.  

Read more .... 

 WNU Editor: In the past two months Nikolai Patrushev, who IMHO is the second most powerful leader in Russia,  has visited China (link here), India (link here), and now Iran. 

He has visited these countries not to seek their help. What Nikolai Patrushev is doing is telling these leaders personally on what is Russia's ultimate goal in Ukraine, and how they are going to achieve it.

My guess is that he is giving them a heads-up that once the 318,000 soldiers who were mobilized in September have completed their training and been assigned to their units, Russia is going to start offensive operations again. My guess has always been December/January, and I am still sticking with that timetable.

Russia's Secretary Of The Security Council Nikolai Patrushev Is In Tehran Today For Security Consultations  

Top Putin Aide Visits Iran as Weapons Bolster Russia's War -- Bloomberg  

Top Russian Security Official Arrives in Tehran in Fresh Sign of Deepening Ties With Iranian Regime -- Algemeiner 

Russia’s security chief discusses Ukraine, trade on visit to Iran -- Al Jazeera  

Top Russian Security Official Visits Iran Amid Growing Ties -- Iran International

US Intelligence Believes Iran Is Seeking Russia’s Help To Bolster Its Nuclear Program

FOREIGN MINISTERS Sergei Lavrov of Russia (center) Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey (right) and Mohammad Zarif of Iran issued a declaration Tuesday on bringing an end to the Syrian civil war. (photo credit: REUTERS)  

CNN: Exclusive: Iran is seeking Russia’s help to bolster its nuclear program, US intel officials believe 

Iran is seeking Russia’s help to bolster its nuclear program, US intelligence officials believe, as Tehran looks for a backup plan should a lasting nuclear deal with world powers fail to materialize. 

The intelligence suggests that Iran has been asking Russia for help acquiring additional nuclear materials and with nuclear fuel fabrication, sources briefed on the matter said. The fuel could help Iran power its nuclear reactors and could potentially further shorten Iran’s so-called “breakout time” to create a nuclear weapon. 

Experts emphasized to CNN, however, that the nuclear proliferation risk varies depending on which reactor the fuel is used for. And it is also not clear whether Russia has agreed to help – the Kremlin has long been outwardly opposed to Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Iran seeking nuclear help from Russia in exchange for weapons -CNN (Jerusalem Post)  

Update #2: US intelligence believes Iran wants nuclear weapons from Russia (Bol News)  

WNU Editor: When it comes to Russia and Iran the US is also worried about this (see below):  

US worried Russia may try to buy more advanced weapons from Iran -- The Hill 

US Concerned Over Possible Iran's Missile Aid To Russia -- NDTV  

White House: Concerned Moscow May Be Advising Iran on Best Practices to Manage Protests -- Reuters  

Five things to know about Putin’s increasing reliance on Iran -- The Hill

Iran Confirms Drone Sale To Russia

Armenia News: Media: Russia signs contract with Iran to buy 1,000 drones 

Iran and Russia have expanded the level of their strategic cooperation in various fields. Most recently in space, when a Russian rocket launched an Iranian satellite into orbit from a Russian spaceport in Kazakhstan, writes analyst and Middle East expert Elijah J. Magnier. 

Russia signed a contract with Iran to buy 1,000 drones after Iran supplied several aircraft and a simulator on which Russian officers trained: they successfully used the first drones in Ukraine. The move is considered unprecedented for a superpower that buys drones from Iran. Tehran considers it recognition of its advanced and efficient military industry, achieved despite 43 years of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I am unsure about the 1,000 number, but US intelligence believes Russian operators have been training on these drones for the past few weeks .... Russian officials trained in Iran as part of drone deal, U.S. says (Reuters). 

More details here .... Iran Confirms Drone Sale To Russia - But What Will It Buy In Exchange? (Moon of Alabama).

CIA Director William Burns Says The Ties Between Russia And Iran Are Not That 'Solid'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a trilateral meeting on Syria with Turkish President in Tehran on July 19, 2022. Credit: SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP  

CBS: CIA director William Burns says ties between Russia, Iran suffer from "limits," lack of trust 

CIA Director William Burns downplayed the utility of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Iran on Wednesday, saying an alliance between the two countries would be limited by their historic rivalry in energy exports and an overall lack of trust. 

"I think beneath the images that that we all saw, the reality is that Russians and Iranians need each other right now," Burns said. 

"Both federally sanctioned countries, both looking to break out of political isolation as well — but if they need each other, they don't really trust each other, in the sense that they're energy rivals and historical competitors."  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The CIA Director is not the only one voicing this opinion .... Iran and Russia's friendship is more complicated than it seems (CNN). 

My take is different. 

The "enemy of my enemy is my friend". A quote that both Russia and Iran are embracing right now, especially Iran .... Iran supreme leader lauds Putin for starting Ukraine war and says if he hadn't, "dangerous" NATO would have (CBS). More here .... Iranian Supreme Leader Doubles-Down on Support for Russia (National Interest). 

It looks like the CIA Director is also missing the big picture.

I personally believe that what we are now seeing is a powerful trilateral relationship being formed between Russia - Iran - China that will be based on economic and security self interests, and the political organization that will coordinate this cooperation will be BRICS. 

Just in the past two weeks (under the BRICS umbrella) we have seen Russia and China sign commitments for energy development and exports. Russia forming a trade corridor through Iran to send goods to India thereby circumventing the Suez canal. Russia being the promoter for both Iran and India to develop a natural gas pipeline. A planning committee to establish a financial network that will be independent from SWIFT and Western sanctions. And numerous reports of other countries .... including Saudi Arabia .... now wanting to join this global organization.

All of these developments makes Washington claims that Iran will get a better deal with the West laughable, especially in view of what has been the history between the West and Iran .... US warns Iran risks becoming dependent on Russia after hosting Putin (Times If Israel).  

Update: The US has provided no evidence that Russia wants Iranian drones .... CIA Chief Says Russia’s Iran Drone Deal Shows Military Weakness (Bloomberg). This narrative has been making the media rounds for the past few weeks, and even if it is true, it does not show weakness. It shows the opposite. It  illustrates the growing security alliance between Russia and Iran.

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi Meet In Tehran -- News Roundup

Vladimir Putin met Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi (centre), and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (left), in Tehran. Photograph: Mustafa Kamaci/Turkish presidential press service/AFP  

The Guardian: Putin endorsed by Iran for invasion of Ukraine but clashes with Turkey at summit  

Tehran meeting saw discord over Erdoğan’s plan to intervene in Syria but ‘progress’ on shipping Ukrainian grain  

Vladimir Putin ended his first major summit outside Russia since the invasion of Ukraine with an endorsement from Iran for its response to Nato, a clash with Turkey over Syria and signs of progress over the lifting of the Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain. 

The White House said the Tehran summit held between Putin, the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, showed how isolated the Russian leader had become – which was not an observation shared by Moscow, who claimed it showed Russia remained respected in the Middle East. 

Read more .... 

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi Meet In Tehran -- News Roundup 

Putin, in Tehran, gets strong support from Iran over Ukraine -- AP  

Putin forges ties with Iran's supreme leader in Tehran talks -- Reuters 

 Iran's Supreme Leader backs an 'independent and strong' Russia in support of Ukraine invasion -- ABC News Australia 

Putin on visit to Tehran gets Iran's backing for war in Ukraine -- Axios 

Putin, Erdogan and Iran’s Raisi pledge cooperation against ‘terrorists’ in Syria -- France 24  

Turkey’s Erdogan renews case for Syria operation at Tehran talks -- Al Jazeera  

Russian President Putin in Iran for trilateral talks -- DW  

Vladimir Putin hobbles down the red carpet with his arm hanging limp as he steps off the plane in Iran to forge new anti-West alliance -- Daily Mail  

Ukraine war: Putin visits Iran in rare international trip -- BBC  

Putin arrives in Iran for first trip outside former Soviet Union since his invasion of Ukraine -- CNN  

Erdogan, Putin note progress in grain exports talks -- RT  

Humanitarian aid to Syria and war on terror — results of Tehran Summit -- TASS

Russian President Putin Travels To Tehran This Tuesday For Meetings With Iranian, Turkish Leaders

Russia, Turkey and Iran have in recent years been holding talks as part of the so-called 'Astana peace process' to end more than 11 years of conflict in Syria [File: Reuters] 

Reuters: Putin visits Iran for first trip outside former U.S.S.R. since Ukraine war 

LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Tehran on Tuesday for a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the first trip by the Kremlin chief outside the former Soviet Union since the invasion of Ukraine. 

Putin casts the West's attempt to cripple Russia's economy with the most severe sanctions in recent history as a declaration of economic war and says Russia is turning away from the West to China, India and Iran. 

Just three days after U.S. President Joe Biden finished a visit to Saudi Arabia, Russia's paramount leader arrives in Tehran to hold his fifth meeting with Khamenei, Iran's second supreme leader who came to power in 1989.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Just an observation. If Putin was not comfortable with the progress of the Ukraine war, he would not be going to Tehran. 

Russian President Putin Travels To Tehran This Tuesday For Meetings With Iranian, Turkish Leaders  

Growing Iran-Russia ties in focus as Putin heads to Tehran -- DW  

Putin to travel to Tehran for meetings with Iranian, Turkish leaders -- FOX News  

Putin Seeks to Cement Ties With Iran, Turkey in Rare Trip Abroad -- WSJ 

Putin, Erdogan head to Iran for talks on Syria, future of Middle East -- Jerusalem Post  

As his war on Ukraine rages, Russia’s Putin is set to visit Iran -- Al Jazeera

Why Iran Will Not Ship Armed Drones To Russia

Iran's Army chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri visit an underground site with drones at an undisclosed location in Iran, May 28, 2022. (Screenshot: Twitter)  

Moon Of Alabama: No, Iran Will Not Deliver Armed Drones To Russia 

In March this year we were treated to an onslaught of obviously false claims that China would deliver weapons to Russia for the fight in Ukraine. 

   Russia seeks military equipment and aid from China, U.S. officials say - Washington Post - March 13, 2022 

   Russia has turned to China for military equipment and aid in the weeks since it began its invasion of Ukraine, U.S. officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. 

   The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, did not describe what kind of weaponry had been requested, or whether they know how China responded. 

   The development comes as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan plans to travel to Rome on Monday to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi. 

   “We are communicating directly, privately to Beijing, that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions, evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them,” Sullivan told CNN. 

   Russia is an exporter of military weapons and China is one of its biggest customers. There is nothing in the Chinese arsenals that Russia can not and does not produce itself. 

   The claim was false from the get go but Sullivan, the mediocre National Security Advisor of the Biden regime, planted it to put pressure on China. It of course did not work. 

   China denied that it had received any request from Russia or that it was in any way willing to ever fulfill one if it would come:  

Read more .... 

Previous Post: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Says Iran Ready To Supply Russia With Hundreds Of Armed Drones  

WNU Editor:Only time will tell if Moon of Alabama is right. Or US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is right. My money is on Moon of Alabama.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Says Iran Ready To Supply Russia With Hundreds Of Armed Drones

 

Politico: Iran preparing to send ‘several hundred’ drones to Russia, Sullivan says  

Training sessions are expected to begin as early as this month, he said. 

The Iranian government is preparing to send “several hundred” drones, including some equipped with weapons, to Russia at some point in July, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday. 

Sullivan made the announcement during an afternoon briefing at the White House, where he said he was confident that with support from the West, Ukraine’s capital Kyiv will remain under Ukrainian control.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan provides no evidence to back his claim. But military drone tech is something that Russia is lacking. 

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Says Iran Ready To Supply Russia With Hundreds Of Armed Drones  

White House: Iran set to deliver armed drones to Russia -- AP  

White House: Iran preparing to supply Russia with drones -- Reuters  

Biden adviser Jake Sullivan says Russia is turning to IRAN for armed drones to sustain its months-long invasion of Ukraine -- Daily Mail  

White House: Iran preparing to send Russia drones for Ukraine war -- The Hill  

White House says Iran is preparing to supply Russia with weapons-capable drones -- CNN 

Iran set to supply Russia with armed drones, Sullivan says -- Axios

Russian President Putin To Visit Iran Next Week

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) speaks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a Caspian summit in Ashgabat on June 29.  

RFE: Putin To Meet Raisi, Turkey's Erdogan In Tehran, Kremlin Says 

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Tehran to meet his Turkish and Iranian counterparts as part of the so-called Astana format of talks related to Syria, the Kremlin has said. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 12 that Putin will hold talks on July 19 with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran's Ebrahim Raisi in only the Russian leader's second foreign trip since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Turkey has been threatening to invade northern Syria for the past month. It looks like this summit is to dissuade Erdogan from conducting such an operation.

Russian President Putin To Visit Iran Next Week  

Putin set to visit Iran next week -- AP  

Putin to meet Erdogan and Raisi next Tuesday to discuss Syria, Kremlin says -- Reuters  

Putin announces visit to Iran after US warned Russia wants to buy drones -- Daily Mail  

Kremlin says Putin will visit Iran next week -- Axios

Iran, China, Russia To Kick Off Joint Naval Drills In Indian Ocean On January 21

Chinese and Russian warships transit simulated mined sea area during the naval exercise Joint Sea-2021 on the morning of October 15, 2021. Photo:Xinhua  

Reuters: Trilateral naval drills between China, Russia and Iran start on Friday 

DUBAI (Reuters) - China, Russia and Iran will hold joint naval drills on Friday, a public relations official from Iran's armed forces told semi-official ISNA news agency on Thursday. 

The "2022 Marine Security Belt" exercise will take place in the north of the Indian Ocean and is the third joint naval drill between the three countries, Mostafa Tajoldin added. 

Since coming to office last June, Iran's hardline President Ebrahim Raisi has pursued a "look east" policy to deepen ties with China and Russia. 

Tehran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in September, a central Asian security body led by Beijing and Moscow. 

Read more .... 

Iran, China, Russia To Kick Off Joint Naval Drills In Indian Ocean On January 21  

Iran, Russia, China To Hold Joint Naval Drill Amid Growing Ties -- RFE 

Iran, China, Russia to kick off joint naval drills in Indian Ocean on January 21 — media -- TASS 

China, Russia and Iran to launch joint naval drill on Friday -- Times of Israel 

Iran announces naval drills with Russia, China -- The Hill  

Russia Announces Joint Naval Drills With China and Iran -- National Interest 

China, Russia, Iran to hold joint maritime exercise: report -- CGTN

Russian President Vladimir Putin Meets Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi In Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin (far left) speaks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (far right) during their meeting in Moscow on January 19.  

RFE: Russian, Iranian Presidents Meet Amid Talks On Iran Nuclear Deal  

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, in Moscow amid international negotiations aimed at reviving a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. 

Raisi, a conservative cleric elected last year, said on January 19 that he had presented Moscow with draft documents on strategic cooperation between the two countries for the next two decades. 

Raisi said Iran had "no limits for expanding ties with Russia." Moscow and Tehran have strong political, economic, and military ties and are key allies of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's decade-long civil war.  

Read more .... 

 Russian President Vladimir Putin Meets Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi In Moscow  

Putin hosts Iranian president for Kremlin talks -- AP 

Putin Hails Strong Russia-Iran Ties -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Iran, Russia Tout Closer Ties Amid Tensions With Europe, US -- VOA  

In Moscow, Putin and Raisi hail ties during decisive moment for Iran nuclear deal -- Times of Israel/AFP  

Iran’s president makes first visit to Russia -- Al-Monitor  

Iranian President says his visit to Moscow may become turning point in Russia-Iran ties -- TASS

Russian Putin To Host Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi In Moscow On Wednesday

The combo image shows Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi (L) and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.  

RFE: Russian, Iranian Presidents To Hold Talks In Moscow 

The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin will host his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, in Moscow on January 19, amid negotiations aimed at reviving a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. 

 It will be Raisi's third visit outside Iran -- after Tajikistan and neighboring Turkmenistan -- since he took over the presidency in August, and the first trip by an Iranian president to Russia since 2017. 

Moscow and Tehran have strong political, economic, and military ties and are key allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's decade-long civil war.  

Read more .... 

Russian Putin To Host Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi In Moscow On Wednesday  

Putin to host Iran’s Raisi in Moscow amid nuclear talks -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Expansion of ties in focus as President Raeisi visits Moscow Wednesday -- Press TV (Iran)  

Iran’s Tilt To Moscow Casts Shadow Over Vienna Talks -- Iran International  

Iran-Russia talks: Why Raisi's meeting with Putin is crucial for Iran's future -- Fardin Eftekhari, Middle East Eye

Growing Military Ties Between Russia And Iran

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri talks to reporters after his meeting with Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Vice-Admiral Vladimir Lvovich Kasatonov on October 20, 2021. (Photo by IRNA)  

The Defense Post: Russia and Iran to Hold Military Cooperation Meeting in Tehran 

Iran’s military chief has announced that a joint Russian-Iranian meeting on military-technical cooperation will take place in Tehran in three months, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Mohammad Bagheri of the Iranian General Staff pushed for stronger military ties between the two nations as he met his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimovis in Moscow this week. 

Read more .... 

More News On The Growing Military Ties Between Russia And Iran 

Russia-Iran arms deals to bolster bilateral relations, says Iranian military chief -- TASS  

Iran Military Chief Says Ties With Russia Have 'Great Significance' For Khamenei -- Iran International  

Top Iranian cmdr.: Iran, Russia agree on expanding naval cooperation -- Press TV

Iran Wants Closer Military Ties With Russia

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, speaks upon his arrival in Moscow, Russia, on October 17, 2021. (Photo by IRNA)  

Press TV: Top commander says Iran firm to boost military cooperation with Russia 

Iran’s top commander says the Islamic Republic is resolute on the improvement of military cooperation with Russia in line with the administration of President Ebrahim Raeisi’s “Look to the East” policy. 

Speaking upon his arrival in Moscow on Sunday, chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, said the new administration attaches special importance to the East and the Eastern countries. 

He highlighted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s move to accept Iran’s full membership in the Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance after the inauguration of the new administration.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Iran Says It Will Hold Talks With Russia Over Military Cooperation (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: Top Iranian Commander Pursuing Arms Purchases from Russia in Moscow Trip (Tasnim News Agency)  

WNU Editor: Afghanistan will also be discussed .... Bagheri arrives in Moscow for talks on Afghanistan, ties (MEHR News Agency).

Israeli Defense Sources Say The Russian Navy Is Protecting Iranian Ships Smuggling Arms To Syria

Breaking Defense: Russian Fleet Protects Iranian Ships Smuggling Arms, Israelis Say 

TEL AVIV: Amid confused reports of a drone attack on an Iranian ship in the Mediterranean on its way to Syria, Iran appears to have moved its weapons shipments to Syria and Lebanon from the land — where Israel has regularly tracked and destroyed them — to ships that may be receiving protection from Russian vessels in the Mediterranean. 

At the same time, defense sources here say Israel has intensified its aerial attacks on targets in Syria once the weapons are delivered by sea. The last such attack was on April 22. 

Israeli defense sources here say the Iranian ships sail from the Red Sea, transit the Suez Canal and arrive in the Mediterranean. The defense sources say the ships documents claim they carry only oil, but there are indications that “oil is not the only cargo.” 

Israel finds itself in a situation where little can be done to stop this new route from Iran to Syria.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: If true, this changes the situation completely in the Middle East.

Update: The Iranians are not hiding their close ties with Russia .... Iran, Russia intensify consultations as nuclear talks kick off (Tehran Times).

Iran And Russia Begin Joint Naval Drills In The Indian Ocean

The 'Maritime Security Belt Exercise', held in the north of the Indian ocean is designed to 'enhance security' of maritime trade, state television claims 

Daily Mail: Iran and Russia hold sabre-rattling joint Navy drills in the Indian ocean hours after being blamed for rocket attack on US base in Iraq 

 * The militaries of Iran and Russia today held joint naval drills in the Indian ocean 

 * 'Maritime Security Belt Exercise' aims to enhance security of maritime trade 

 * The drills are expected to last for three days, and the Indian Navy will join in 

 * Comes after more than a dozen rockets fired at Erbil International Airport in Iraq 

 * Attack claimed by 'Guardians of Blood,' believed to be front for pro-Iran faction 

Iran held a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean with Russia today only hours after being blamed for the rocket attack on a US military base in Iraq. 

The 'Maritime Security Belt Exercise', held in the north of the Indian ocean is designed to 'enhance security' of maritime trade, state television claims. 

Drill spokesman Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani said the 17,000 square kilometres exercise involved units from the Iranian army and the elite Revolutionary Guards in addition to the Russian navy. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: China and India will also be joining these drills .... India, China to Join Iran-Russia Naval Drill (Tasnim News Agency) 

 More News On Iran And Russia Beginning Their Joint Naval Drills In The Indian Ocean 

Report: Iran and Russia begin joint naval drill -- AP 

Iran, Russia Start Naval Drill In Indian Ocean -- RFE 

India joins Iran-Russia joint navy drill; China also to take part -- Al Jazeera 

Iran and Russia begin joint naval drill in Indian Ocean -- Times Of Israel

Russia, Iran & China To Hold Joint Naval Drills In The Indian Ocean

Russian, Iranian, and Chinese naval drills will be held in the Indian Ocean in mid-February, said Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan. 

Daily Mail: Russia announces joint naval drill with China and Iran in the Indian Ocean 'soon' 

 * Russia to hold joint naval drills with Iran and China in Indian Ocean this month 

 * Naval exercise will see the countries 'rehearse search and rescue operations' 

 * Moscow's ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan made the announcement 

Russia will hold joint naval drills with Iran and China in the Indian Ocean later this month, it has been announced. 

The naval exercise will see the three countries 'rehearse search and rescue operations' in the northern part of the Indian Ocean in mid-February, Moscow's ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan said on Monday. 

It comes less than two years after the countries held similar naval drills in the region in December 2019. 

Read more .... 

 More News On Russia, Iran & China To Hold Joint Naval Drills In The Indian Ocean 

Iran, Russia, China to hold naval drill in Indian Ocean soon -- MEHR News Agency (Iran) 

Russia, China, and Iran to hold joint naval drills in Indian Ocean soon - RIA -- Reuters 

Russia, Iran & China To Hold Joint Naval Drills As CENTCOM Chief Blasts Iran As "Driver Of Instability" -- Zero Hedge 

Top U.S. Foes Russia, China, Iran to Train, Trade Together as Biden Claims 'America is Back' -- Newsweek