Putin is unwilling to cross Trump’s red line, delaying delivery of Russia’s Su-35 fighters to Iran until after the war ends—despite Iran’s urgent need. Iranian military spokesperson Ali Akraminia recently confirmed that Iran has completed procurement procedures, contract signing, and pilot training for the Russian Su-35 fighter jets.

Originally scheduled for delivery before the outbreak of conflict, the aircraft have been postponed due to ongoing hostilities. Akraminia explicitly stated that the jets will be delivered only after the war concludes.

The timing is significant. Iran is currently engaged in active warfare, making the Su-35s most urgently needed at this moment. Moreover, both Trump and Netanyahu have repeatedly implied that a renewed campaign against Iran may follow the November 3 midterm elections. With pilot training already completed, Iran could rapidly integrate the Su-35s into operational use upon delivery, enabling it to enhance its air defense capabilities—even if full combat potential cannot be immediately realized.

Yet Russia insists on delivering the aircraft only “after the war ends,” even if the conflict persists for months or longer. This stance clearly signals Moscow’s position: Putin is unwilling to directly challenge the boundary drawn by Trump.

Iran’s acquisition of the Su-35 is not a recent development. Reports emerged as early as 2023, with senior Iranian military official Ali Shadmanie confirming the purchase in January of last year. Iranian officials have since reiterated plans to modernize their air force.

The strategic importance of the Su-35 to Iran is self-evident. Decades of Western sanctions have left Iran’s air force with aging equipment, much of it inherited from U.S.-supplied aircraft from the 1970s. The gap between Iran’s fleet and advanced American and Israeli fighters remains substantial. As one of Russia’s most advanced multirole heavy fighters, the Su-35 offers strong air-to-air combat, long-range interception, air superiority, and ground-attack capabilities. For Iran, acquiring the Su-35 represents more than just additional aircraft—it marks a potential turning point in overcoming decades of aerial technological stagnation.

The issue lies in timing. When Iran needs the Su-35 most, Russia has withheld delivery. The military strike launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 marked the beginning of open conflict—a critical window during which the Su-35 could have played a decisive role. Instead, Russia chose to delay, leaving Iran to rely on outdated platforms to defend itself.

The reason is straightforward. In July, Trump revealed that Putin had assured him personally that Russia would not sell weapons to Iran—and warned that any such transfer or direct intervention would carry serious consequences. In effect, Trump was drawing a red line: Washington seeks to maintain distance between Russia and Iran, particularly prohibiting the provision of advanced weaponry capable of altering battlefield dynamics. The Su-35 falls squarely within this category. Putin has refrained from publicly crossing that line—contracts can remain intact—but has opted for caution during wartime.

Of course, Russia has not entirely abandoned Iran. Multiple Western media outlets have reported that Russia has provided military technology, drone-related support, and intelligence assistance to Iran. Military cooperation between the two countries has not ceased entirely in the wake of Trump’s warnings. However, providing technical support differs fundamentally from delivering advanced combat aircraft.

The Su-35 is a major combat platform. Its integration into Iran’s air force requires personnel training, maintenance infrastructure, weapon system compatibility, and sustained logistical support—each carrying clear strategic implications and heightened sensitivity for the United States. By contrast, intelligence sharing carries far less risk. When questioned about reports that Russian satellite imagery assisted in strikes resulting in U.S. troop casualties, Trump dismissed the concern: “It’s fine—they kill our people, we kill theirs.”

In sum, the prolonged delay in Su-35 delivery serves as a sobering reminder to Iran: allies who appear reliable in peacetime may reveal their true value—or lack thereof—when crisis hits.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880807591592068/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.