Iran has moved to strengthen its aerial capabilities by finalizing an agreement to acquire Russian Su-35 fighter jets, according to the state news agency. The announcement comes as Tehran confirms the completion of a long-awaited purchase from Moscow. The lease-free transfer, following a UN arms embargo that once restricted Iran from acquiring conventional weapons, marks a significant shift in the country’s defense procurement strategy. After the embargo’s lift in October 2020, Iran pursued talks with Russia for Su-35 aircraft, and officials have stated that the process has now reached completion.
Officials have not disclosed the exact number of aircraft involved in the delivery. Iranian media has reported a figure of 24 fighters under consideration.
There were comments from Shahriyar Haidari, a former member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, who indicated that the Su-35 jets ordered from Russia are expected to reach Tehran by the end of March. The diplomatic channels emphasize that the agreement represents a culmination of years of negotiation and a shift in Iran’s military procurement posture, amid evolving regional security dynamics and constraints that have characterized the broader sanctions landscape.