Russian Missile Experts Visit Iran Amid Escalating Clashes with Israel

Senior Russian missile experts have made multiple trips to Iran in the last year, coinciding with enhanced defense cooperation between the two countries amid rising tensions with Israel. Travel records indicate that these specialists possess significant military backgrounds and expertise in various fields of missile technology. The recent visits to Iranian missile facilities have sparked concerns regarding the implications for regional security.

Recent investigative reviews indicate that senior Russian missile experts have traveled to Iran during the past year, coinciding with the Islamic Republic’s growing defense partnership with Russia. Specific records show that seven experts flew from Moscow to Tehran on April 24 and September 17 of the previous year. Six of these individuals possess passports issued for official state business, affirming their military backgrounds, which include expertise in air defense, rocketry, and artillery.

An official from Iran’s defense ministry confirmed that Russian missile specialists have made several visits to Iranian missile production facilities, including underground sites. These trips, reported by sources who wished to remain anonymous, were particularly active in September during Iran’s ongoing conflict with Israel, marked by military exchanges between these nations. However, the specifics of the purpose of these visits remain unclear.

Additionally, a Western defense official mentioned visits to a missile base near Amirabad by Russian missile specialists, yet it was undetermined if these were the same individuals from the documented flights. Furthermore, five of the identified passengers refuted claims of visiting Iran, either denying military affiliations or refusing to comment, while authorities from both Iran and Russia declined to provide remarks regarding these findings.

The documents detailing flight bookings were provided to Reuters by Hooshyaran-e Vatan, an activist group opposed to the Iranian regime. According to these records, the seven travelers were given VIP status during their travels. This analysis was further corroborated by passenger manifests from Russian state databases, although verification of the earlier flight remained incomplete.

Among the travelers, Denis Kalko, Vadim Malov, Andrei Gusev, Alexander Antonov, and Marat Khusainov were associated with various military institutions, specializing in air defense and artillery. Furthermore, Sergei Yurchenko and Oleg Fedosov, who traveled on the September flight, have ties to advanced weapons research within the Russian military.

The continuing cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly following a pivotal military agreement signed in January 2023, not only influences bilateral relations but also impacts Russia’s military operations, such as the utilization of Iranian-designed drones in the conflict in Ukraine.

The visits by Russian missile experts to Iran underscore the deepening military collaboration between the two nations amid ongoing conflicts. The confirmed expertise of these specialists raises questions about their activities within Iran’s missile program as tensions with Israel escalate. Both countries are likely to benefit from shared military technology and strategic alliances in current geopolitical challenges.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com