Rocket launcher deal illustrates deepening Russia-Iran relations

Russia has supplied Iran with 90 advanced missile launchers, reports have said, as Moscow confirmed its close relations with Tehran.

Russia agreed a deal in 2024 to supply Iran with 90 advanced missile launchers, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing documents from a major Russian defence manufacturer.

The report came a day after a senior Iranian official visited Moscow to discuss expanding a defence pact signed last year, and illustrates that Russia continues to deepen relations despite seeking the support of the United States for its narrative concerning the war in Ukraine.

The launchers are designed to carry Russia’s light multipurpose guided missile, known as the LMUR or Izdeliye 305. The precision weapon, capable of striking moving targets, entered military service in 2022 and has since been widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

The weapons are built for Russia’s Mi-28 attack helicopters, which Iran already possesses. Al Jazeera was not able to confirm if the order has been delivered.

Increased cooperation

The reported deal illustrates the strengthened military ties between Moscow and Tehran since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Western intelligence officials warn the relationship has further deepened amid the US war in the Middle East, despite President Donald Trump’s recent claims that Moscow was doing “very little, if anything” to help Iran.

The details of the deal emerged a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin met top Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei at the Kremlin. Rezaei delivered a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during the visit, which was aimed at “further development of bilateral cooperation”, the Kremlin said in a statement released on Friday.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Putin in late October.

The two countries, both under heavy Western sanctions, have continued to pull closer together in recent years.

In January 2025, they signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty covering trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education.

The treaty took effect in October of that year, but unlike Russia’s pact with North Korea, it does not include a mutual defence clause.

However, the deal to supply the helicopter-mounted launchers highlights that military ties continue to strengthen. On Saturday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran had bought Russian Su-35 fighter jets.

Meanwhile, amid the war in Ukraine, Tehran has provided Moscow with ammunition, artillery shells, firearms, short-range ballistic missiles, helmets, and flak jackets. It was suspected to be supplying drones.

After meeting Putin on Thursday, Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the talks had focused on security arrangements in the region, as well as Russia’s support for ending what he called the US “aggression” against Iran.

“Important regional issues were discussed with Putin and significant conversations took place regarding the post-war period and regional security arrangements,” Rezaei said.

The Kremlin reported that “further development … of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” was also discussed.

Analysts suggested to the FT that Russia is walking a fine line to make sure its support of Iran does not disrupt its other relationships, including with other Middle Eastern countries and the US.

“Russia still has certain red lines when it comes to its involvement in this war,” said Hanna Notte at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. “Which is why the support it has provided to Iran is operationally helpful but is not the game changer in this war.”