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What Weapons Russia Supplied To Iran Ahead Of The 2026 US-Israeli Strike
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. As major combat operations unfold across the Middle East, international attention is focusing on the military hardware Tehran acquired from the Russian Federation in recent years.
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Prior to the outbreak of this new war, Moscow had systematically increased its arms shipments to the Islamic Republic, transferring combat aviation, air defense systems, and ground equipment.
“Russia is ready to assist it [Iran] in this to the extent of its current capabilities,” analyst Nikita Smagin noted in an analysis for Carnegie Politika, published by Meduza.
According to the Financial Times on February 22, 2026, Moscow and Tehran signed a new defense contract just days before the conflict erupted. The publication reported that Russia agreed to sell “Verba” man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran for €500 million.
Following the initial strikes on February 28, an Iranian official told Reuters that the country is preparing a “crushing retaliation.”
According to Carnegie Politika, the scope of Russian supplies includes both public and classified agreements executed over the past two years:
In January 2026, Iran received up to six Mi-28 attack helicopters;
![Two Russian Air Force Mil Mi-28 all-weather, day-night attack helicopters fly in formation during the MAKS airshow near Moscow, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Two Russian Air Force Mil Mi-28 all-weather, day-night attack helicopters fly in formation during the MAKS airshow near Moscow, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)")
Two Russian Air Force Mil Mi-28 all-weather, day-night attack helicopters fly in formation during the MAKS airshow near Moscow, Russia. (Source: Getty Images) In 2024, Moscow delivered at least one squadron of Yak-130 combat training aircraft. Supply flights continued into 2025 via An-124 transport planes originating from Irkutsk;
![A Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft performs during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images)]( "A Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft performs during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images)")
A Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft performs during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images) According to Reuters, a major contract for 48 Su-35 fighter jets was formalized, with deliveries initially scheduled for the 2026–2028 period;
![Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets perform during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets perform during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images)")
Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets perform during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2022” at the Kubinka training ground near Moscow, Russia, on August 17, 2022. (Source: Getty Images) For ground operations, Carnegie Politika reported that Tehran received dozens of “Spartak” armored vehicles in late 2024, alongside advanced Orsis T-5000M sniper rifles utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC);
![Iran Deploys Russian-Built MRAPs on Afghan Border for the First Time]()
The joint US and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, included explosions across central Tehran. The effectiveness of the Russian-supplied weapons in this conventional war remains limited against advanced aerial threats.
Smagin pointed out that “Verba complexes can hit aircraft at low altitude — airplanes, helicopters, and cruise missiles.” He noted that previous US operations, such as high-altitude B-2 bomber flights, were completely out of range for these systems.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, the military partnership between Moscow and Tehran has been highly reciprocal. Iran previously supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles to support its ongoing war against Ukraine, securing access to Russian military technology in return.
Based on international reporting and analytical data, here is the verified list of military equipment Russia transferred or agreed to transfer to Iran prior to the February 2026 war:
Su-35 Fighter Jets: A contract for 48 advanced combat aircraft;
Yak-130 Combat Trainers: At least one squadron delivered starting in 2024;
Mi-28 Attack Helicopters: Up to six units delivered by January 2026;
“Verba” MANPADS: A €500 million deal signed in February 2026;
![Russia Fuels Iran’s War Machine With Massive €495M “Verba” Air Defense Deal]()
“Spartak” Armored Vehicles: Dozens delivered and utilized by Iranian internal security forces;
Orsis T-5000M Sniper Rifles: Deployed by the IRGC during military exercises.
Earlier on February 17, The Wall Street Journal reported that during February 6 talks in Oman, Iranian representatives proposed sending their stockpile of highly enriched uranium—described by officials as enough to fuel 12 nuclear bombs—abroad, potentially to Russia, and indicated they could pause enrichment for up to three years as part of a possible agreement with the US.
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