Russia Reported to Begin Supplying Explosives, Ammunition and Drone Components to Iran

Russia has reportedly begun sending explosives, ammunition and drone components to Iran via the Caspian Sea as Tehran rebuilds its weapons stockpiles depleted during the war against the US and Israel. According to NBC News, the shipments use a direct one-way route from Russia to Iran by sea.

The Caspian Sea borders Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Western navies do not operate in these waters, making shipments between Russian and Iranian ports difficult for the US and its allies to intercept.

The route has drawn Israeli attention since the Zionist regime bombed Iran’s Bandar Anzali port on the Caspian Sea in late March. Nevertheless, shipping activity has continued following the Israeli attack.

The shipments from Russia mark a significant development in the reciprocal relationship between Moscow and Tehran. Until now, Iran has been the primary arms supplier to Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including Shahed drones.

Tehran has also reportedly transferred technology that has enabled Russia to produce Iranian-designed drones domestically. Moscow subsequently modified the Shahed drone and scaled up its domestic production.

More recently, Moscow has increased the flow of arms assistance to Tehran. In addition to supplying drones, Russia has also provided Tehran with satellite imagery and intelligence for operations targeting US bases in the Middle East.

In a recent report by The Gaze, Ukrainian intelligence identified evidence showing that Russia has provided Iran with satellite imagery of US military activity and strategic sites in the Persian Gulf. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also rejected the premise that Iranian attacks on Ukraine are merely a future risk, arguing that Tehran can effectively launch attacks by supplying Russia with Shahed drones, related technology and weapons production licences.