Iran and Russia have secretly agreed to a €500 million ($589 million) arms deal, according to a report published Sunday by the Financial Times. The agreement centers on the acquisition of thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles by Iran.
The deal represents Iran’s most significant effort to rebuild its air defenses following what has been described as a weakening of those defenses last year, the Financial Times reported. While details of the specific missiles involved were not immediately available, the scale of the agreement suggests a substantial bolstering of Iran’s capabilities.
The agreement comes as tensions remain high in the Middle East, with the United States increasing its military presence in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that Iran must reach a deal over its nuclear program or “terrible things” will happen, appearing to set a 10-day deadline for action. Trump stated that negotiations were “going well” but insisted on a “meaningful” agreement, adding that failure to reach one could lead to further U.S. Intervention.
Trump’s warning coincided with annual military drills conducted by Iran and Russia, and the approach of a second U.S. Aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The Russian Navy released video footage on Wednesday showing one of its warships docking in an Iranian port ahead of a joint exercise. Trump referenced past U.S. Airstrikes, claiming they had “decimated” Iran’s nuclear potential, and suggested further action remained a possibility.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a warning to Iran, stating that any attack on Israel would be met with a “response that they cannot even imagine.”
The timing of the arms deal and the escalating rhetoric from both the U.S. And Israel suggest a complex and volatile situation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has not publicly commented on the reported arms deal. The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on the Financial Times report.
Trump indicated that a resolution, or escalation, could unfold “over the next probably 10 days,” but offered no specifics on what actions the U.S. Might take if a deal is not reached.