Need S-500: Russia Will Assist Iran Despite US Opposition - Opinion

June 23, 2025

17:53

The S-500 "Prometheus" long-range air defense missile system 77P6 self-propelled launcher deployed at the Kapustin Yar range. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

Kremlin hopes to establish interactive relations with the United States but is unwilling to lose Iran as an ally, creating a contradiction. How will Moscow choose? Observer of Pravda, Lyubov Stepushova, raised this question.

Iran's assistance to Russia in the special military operation in Ukraine played a decisive role in solving the serious shortage of drones in Russia. At the same time, Moscow also tried to engage in dialogue with the Trump administration to partially lift sanctions and stop aid to Kyiv. Of course, Russia can try a multi-line strategy like many countries, but this is dangerous for Russia - it could lose sovereignty and be embarrassing.

During the peak of Israel's unprovoked aggression (which the Russian Foreign Ministry described as such, and which was supported by the United States), Russian President Vladimir Putin held substantive talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin said, "I am glad you came to Moscow today. This visit will allow us to discuss all sensitive issues and jointly think about how to get out of the current crisis."

According to Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov, Russia is ready to provide various forms of assistance to Iran, but this will depend on "what Iran needs".

In addition to political support at the United Nations, according to the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed with Iran, there are clauses on intelligence exchange in military assistance, which is undoubtedly already being implemented - Russia's satellite system has been put into use.

Russia may also supply modern air defense weapons to Iran. Iran purchased S-200 and S-300 air defense missile systems in the early 21st century and modified them. In 2023, both sides had discussions on supplying S-400 air defense missile systems, but Tehran rejected it, citing that Iran could fully rely on its own air defense weapons, especially the "Bavar-373" air defense missile system, to ensure its defense. Now it can be seen that Iran's air defense system cannot withstand Israeli attacks, because the "Bavar" air defense missile system has defects compared to the S-400. This air defense missile system does not have a phased array antenna and cannot operate in the meter, decimeter, and centimeter wavebands. Its range is half less than the S-400, and the variety of missiles and different types of ammunition is fewer, including those for dealing with hypersonic targets.

It is also worth noting Putin's previous statement that Iran has shown no interest in cooperation with Russia in the field of air defense. According to the president, the Russian proposal was not aimed at the separate supply of air defense missile systems, but rather at "building an air defense system." An air defense system includes command and control centers, long-range radar detection stations, air defense and anti-missile forces, and also includes fighter jets (there were previous negotiations on Iran purchasing Su-35).

The S-500 "Prometheus" air defense missile system has all of the above functions. It was developed to provide strategic defense against threats from high-tech aircraft, satellites, spacecraft, and even intercontinental ballistic missiles. Moreover, there is an export version of this system.

Moscow will not worry about Trump's reaction for the following reasons: first, this is defensive weapons, and the United States also provides such weapons to Ukraine; second, Russia cannot lose Iran - otherwise, gas projects (contracts involving about $5 billion), energy projects (Bushehr nuclear power plant), and infrastructure integration projects would collapse. Most importantly, the "North-South" transport corridor project, through which Moscow expects to strategically bypass sanctions and build the corridor with "Global South" countries in Eurasia.

Severe U.S. sanctions are a thing of the past, and Russia has formed mechanisms to deal with sanctions. Continuing to provide military aid to Ukraine will only change the end time of the special military operation. The United States has always been and remains Russia's main potential adversary, so Moscow's choice is obvious - it will provide Iran with everything it needs despite Washington's opposition.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7519307511381131817/

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