FT: Iran has signed a secret arms deal with Russia worth €500 million

The deal involves the purchase of thousands of modern portable anti-aircraft missiles, according to the Financial Times. The agreement was signed in Moscow in December and provides for the delivery of 500 Verba launchers and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years.

Deliveries are to take place in three stages between 2027 and 2029. The contract was reportedly negotiated by Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and a representative of the Iranian Ministry of Defense in Moscow. Reuters said it had not yet been able to independently verify the report.

Iran formally requested the systems last July. The agreement comes at a time of tension over Iran's nuclear program. Last June, US forces attacked three major Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump claimed they had been destroyed, but according to a preliminary assessment by US intelligence services, the attacks only slowed the program by a few months.

Russia and Iran have a strategic partnership, but it does not include a mutual defense commitment. Recently, a Russian warship conducted exercises with the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Oman.

(reuters, est)