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Reports have emerged that Iran is providing far-reaching military support to Russia for its continued invasion of Ukraine including artillery, tank shells and rockets. An arms contract dated 14 September 2022 has been revealed by Sky News, linking the Ministry of Defence and Logistics of the Armed Forces of Iran and the Russian state military firm, JSC Rosoboronexport.
The Islamic Republic appears to be deepening its military ties and support with President Putin beyond its previously known supply of the Shahed ‘suicide drones’. Entitled, “In the name of Allah,” the contract reveals the sale of arms worth £800,000 alongside linked contracts regarding ammunition shells and T-72 parts for cannon-mortar weapons knows as the Howitzer – surmounting to an additional £590,000.
Sky reporting has indicated that around 100 million bullets and 300,000 shells have been transported across the Caspian Sea in prior agreements. In September 2022, 1,000 rounds were purchased for over $1,000,000 – which experts say points to depleting Russian armament stocks.
Supplementary sections accompanying the newly discovered contract covers samples of ammunition, shell bodies, brass cases, T72 tank gun barrels and more Howitzer artillery pieces for additional sums. Previously, the UK has imposed heavy sanctions on Tehran after Iranian Shahed drones were seen targeting Ukrainian cities. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly commented that, “where we have evidence that Iran has provided military support to Russia in Russia’s attempted invasion of Ukraine we have taken action and we will, of course, always do likewise”.
