Russia agrees $589 million Iran air defence systems deal
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 3
Russia agrees $589 million Iran air defence systems deal
2 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 3
The agreement covers 500 advanced shoulder-fired units for delivery by 2029, according to congressional testimony cited in the report.
The article says Moscow has also shared intelligence on sites watched by US satellites, upgraded Iranian Shahed drones and shipped new drones and tactical advice drawn from the Ukraine war.
It adds Russia has helped launch eight dual-use Iranian satellites in three years, underscoring broader military support as Washington weighs sanctions relief for Russian oil.
If Russia's own drones are 'flying garbage,' can its military aid truly transform Iran's arsenal?
With 500 advanced Russian missiles heading to Iran, is global civil aviation facing an unavoidable threat?
As Russia and China arm Iran, is a new 'Axis of Autocracy' making a wider global conflict inevitable?
How 500 Verba MANPADS Launchers Will Reshape Iran’s Air Defense and Regional Security by 2029
Overview
In December 2025, Russia and Iran signed a €500 million arms deal for advanced Verba MANPADS to strengthen Iran's air defense after damage from the June 2025 conflict with Israel. The Verba's advanced seeker and mobility enhance Iran's ability to counter low-altitude threats like drones and helicopters, forcing U.S. and Israeli forces to adapt with costly countermeasures. Deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2029 will integrate these systems into Iran's defense, shifting the regional power balance. The deal deepens the Russia-Iran partnership, shaped by mutual sanctions and the Ukraine war, while raising risks of proliferation to proxies, civilian aviation threats, and increased regional instability.