Russia has agreed to a deal to supply Iran with 90 advanced missile launchers, according to reports citing documents from a major Russian defense manufacturer. This reported transaction underscores the increasingly close relationship between Moscow and Tehran, even as Russia seeks international support for its narrative regarding the war in Ukraine.

The missile launchers are designed to carry Russia's light multipurpose guided missile, known as the LMUR or Izdeliye 305. This precision weapon, capable of engaging moving targets, entered military service in 2022 and has been extensively used by Russian forces in Ukraine. Notably, these launchers are compatible with Russia's Mi-28 attack helicopters, a type of aircraft that Iran already possesses.

The Financial Times reported the details of the deal on Friday. While Al Jazeera was unable to independently confirm if the order has been delivered, the reported transaction comes amid warnings from Western intelligence officials about the deepening ties between Russia and Iran. This increased cooperation is seen as particularly significant given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The emergence of these details follows a visit by a senior Iranian official, Mohsen Rezaei, to Moscow. Rezaei, a top Iranian security official, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss the further development of bilateral cooperation and to deliver a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The Kremlin stated that the meeting aimed at expanding a defense pact signed between the two countries last year.

Russia and Iran, both subject to extensive Western sanctions, have progressively strengthened their relationship in recent years. In January 2025, they formalized this by signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that encompasses trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education. This treaty became effective in October of that same year.

While the strategic partnership treaty does not include a mutual defense clause, unlike Russia's pact with North Korea, the reported missile launcher deal highlights the continued strengthening of military ties. This development occurs despite recent public statements by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Moscow was doing "very little, if anything" to assist Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also held a meeting with President Putin in late October. These high-level interactions and reported military hardware transfers indicate a sustained effort by both nations to bolster their strategic alignment in the face of international pressure.

The ongoing military cooperation between Russia and Iran raises questions about regional stability and the implications for international security, particularly in the context of ongoing global conflicts and sanctions regimes.