Russia’s Defense Minister Shoigu visits arms exhibition in Tehran, says Russia–Iran cooperation will go forward ‘despite’ U.S. and allies
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu visited an arms exhibition in Tehran, hosted by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
At the exhibition, Shoigu was shown the latest missiles, combat drones, and air-defense systems manufactured by Iran. The Russian Ministry of Defense described the visit on its Telegram channel, adding that U.S.-made “trophy” drones were also exhibited at the show.
The Russian delegation arrived in Tehran on September 19. In the course of the visit, the Russian minister noted that Russia–Iran dialogue was developing apace:
Our goal is to finish the whole complex of planned activities, despite obstruction from the U.S. and its Western allies. Sanction pressure on Russia and Iran is proving to have no future, while Russia–Iran cooperation is headed for the next level,
said Shoigu.
Russia is actively using Iranian Shahed drones in the war against Ukraine. Recently, it started assembling Shaheds from Iranian-made parts.
In August, Financial Times reported that the U.S. was trying to discourage Iran from sending weapons to Russia, offering to loosen international sanctions against Tehran in return for its cooperation.
Shoigu attended another arms exhibition in July, when visiting North Korea. Less than two months later, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Western media speculated at the time that they would discuss North Korean arms supplies to Russia in exchange for military technology.
