Russia provided 'US ally' India its Su-35M fighter jets, but not Tehran: Iranian diplomat

For Iran, there is little to cheer about its 12-day war with Israel; its nuclear programme received a setback, its entire IRGC top command was wiped out, and it weakened the Islamic Republic. But, more importantly, the war also showed Iran how it was alone in its battle as its allies - Russia and China - didn't come to its aid against both Israel and the US.

Though Russian and Iranian leadership made no public statements that hinted at any love lost, Iranian diplomats are not in the mood to let the betrayal slide. Interestingly, one top diplomat highlighted Russia's relations with India to highlight the Russian stance during the war. 

Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat now at Princeton, pointed out how Russia had no qualms helping India, despite New Delhi being an ally of Washington. 

Mousavian, an Iranian policymaker and scholar who served on Iran's nuclear diplomacy team in negotiations with the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency, posted on X: "Russia has offered India 117 Su-35M fighter jets and joint production of the Su-57 with full technology transfer—even though India is a U.S. ally,” he posted on X. 

The diplomat was referring to Russia securing a significant defence deal with India, which includes full technology transfer for the Su-57E, allowing India to produce the aircraft domestically at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility.  Iran had sought a similar cooperation with the Kremlin but failed to secure it.

He cited that Russia, however, did not deliver the Su-35 fighter jets or the S-400 air defence system to Iran, despite Iran coming under the threat of military attack by the United States and Israel. "There is no criticism of Moscow here, as it is acting in accordance with its own strategic interests. Therefore, if Turkey (a NATO member) or Saudi Arabia (a US ally) were to request the Su-35, Su-57, or S-400 systems, Moscow would likely agree," he stated.

He added that this reality can help Tehran gain a better understanding of the "realities of international relations" and the "imperatives of national interest”. 

Besides Mousavian, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, former head of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, too hit out at Russia, stating Iran has "paid more than its fair share of the price for the Ukraine war."

"When Iran brought balance to the battlefield, the Russians simply said Iran hadn’t asked for anything," he told an Iranian newspaper, referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that Iran had not formally asked for help.

Some section of Iranian hardline media too appeared miffed at Russia for the stalled Su-35 deal. An earlier pact with Moscow was that it would provide the jets to Tehran to modernise its air fleet. "The story of the Sukhoi-35 is a tale of a one-sided alliance—one in which Iran delivers critical drones but receives nothing more than hollow promises," Khabar Online.

As per reports, Iran only received two of the 50 Su-35s it expected. The aircraft was delivered last year to Iran’s 3rd Tactical Air Force Base near Hamadan for assembly. However, the fighters did not appear to be used during the conflict with Israel.

Middle East