Another war? Iran tests Russia's S-400 for the first time, says Israeli reports

Iran is preparing for another round of conflict with Israel and has tested a Russian S-400 air defence system for the first time, according to reports. There are also other reports quoting Israeli officials that groups affiliated with Iran intend to carry out attacks from southern Syria.

Iranian soldiers reportedly tested the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense missile system for the first time on July 26 in the Isfahan region. The tests apparently included a battery of S-400 air defense missile systems, a combat control post (CCP), a radar system (RS), launchers, and vehicles for transport and loading, according to Hebrew media Maariv. The air defense system was also equipped with 48N6E3 anti-aircraft guided missiles, capable of intercepting a wide range of aerial threats.

Though the Iranian Ministry of Defense was yet to announce the test, military analysts in the region are calling it "the first test of the S-400 air defense system."

The report also quoted unnamed sources in Isfahan that cited an increase in radar emissions, which indirectly indicates military exercises (in which radar systems are used to detect, track, and classify targets, as well as to simulate combat).

However, it is unclear whether Iran has purchased the system or was merely testing it as part of Russia’s plan to promote it.

It is not yet clear whether this indicates that Iran has officially requested to purchase the system, or whether the Russian Aerospace Forces deployed it on Iranian territory as a promotional move to showcase their operational capabilities. Iranian officials previously hinted they were not interested in getting the S-400, stating that the indigenous Bavar 373 system could provide a comparable capability.

Iranian proxies

A report that appeared in Saudi newspaper Al-Arabiya on Wednesday claimed that Israel has detected  preparations by Iranian cells to carry out attacks from southern Syria. The report, which quoted an unnamed Israeli source, said “Iran's attempts to create a frontline for terrorist operations against Israel are not ceasing.”

"We have warnings about groups affiliated with Iran that intend to carry out attacks from southern Syria. Our forces from the 'Golan' Brigade (474) under the command of Division 210, and in cooperation with the field investigators of Unit 504, completed an operation on July 2 to arrest a terrorist cell operated by Iran in the 'Umm al-Lux' and 'Ain al-Batli' areas in southern Syria,” he claimed.

He added that the squad was intended to observe IDF forces in the area and assist in a future raid into Israel. Many weapons were seized from their possession, the official added.

 

Middle East