Iran, Russia Strengthen Military Ties, Discuss Caspian Security

A deputy commander of the Iranian Army and a Russian deputy minister have discussed cooperation among the Caspian littoral states “without the need for foreign presence.”

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the Iranian Army’s Deputy Commander for Coordination, and Colonel General Alexander Fomin, Russian Deputy Defence Minister, met during the military diplomacy Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China, on September 15. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, their conversation centered on regional security and collaboration.

A key focus was the Caspian Sea, which Sayyari described as a “sea of peace and friendship.” He highlighted the significance of collective security efforts among Caspian-bordering nations, advocating for regional stability without foreign intervention. Both officials underscored the importance of self-reliance and cooperation in maintaining peace in the region.

The discussion covered proposals for joint maritime patrols and specialized combined exercises. In addition, they explored expanding collaboration in military training, with plans to exchange teachers and students to strengthen military education.

Sayyari and Fomin also highlighted the strategic importance of the North-South transit corridor, a route connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Both emphasized the need to protect their countries’ strategic interests, particularly in light of broader geopolitical shifts. Expanding military cooperation, they agreed, would play a key role in enhancing regional security.

This meeting took place against a backdrop of growing international tension. Recent reports suggest that Iran has been supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, while Russia is allegedly sharing nuclear and space technology with Tehran in exchange.

On September 10, the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany imposed fresh sanctions on Iran for allegedly providing Russia with ballistic missiles for its war in Ukraine. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied the claims, condemning the sanctions as being based on “faulty intelligence.”

The European Union also released a statement on September 13 that described the “recent transfer” of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia as “a direct threat to European security.” The EU warned of new “restrictive measures against Iran, including the designation of individuals and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes, and in this regard is considering restrictive measures in Iran’s aviation sector as well.”

Iran’s alleged missile shipments come as Russia seeks to replenish its stockpiles in the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, which began in 2022. This military cooperation has deepened ties between Tehran and Moscow, especially after Iran provided drones to Russia to support its war efforts.

During a recent visit to London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that Russia had received Iran’s Fath-360 ballistic missiles, further hinting at technology exchanges between the two nations. He also noted that Iran’s nuclear program has never been more advanced.

However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused the United States of attempting to drive a wedge between Iran and Russia by “alleging that Iran is supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.”

“There is military-technical cooperation [between the two countries], nobody denies this. But it is not the USA’s business to stick their nose into the matters of others,” Ryabkov told reporters during the BRICS Media Summit on September 14.

Despite Iran’s repeated insistence that its nuclear ambitions are for civilian purposes, international concerns continue to mount over its potential to develop nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported a significant rise in Iran’s nuclear fuel levels between June and August, which could potentially produce several warheads if Iran chose to pursue them. The heightened tensions, especially with Israel, have only amplified these concerns.