ANALYSIS – As Iran deploys suicide drones and ballistic missiles in Russian-occupied Ukraine to support Vladimir Putin's war of aggression in Europe, Israel is also under the gun to help Ukraine.
As I recently wrote, Iran has sent large numbers of its latest drones to help Russia attack Ukraine, but it may also be sending its most advanced ballistic missiles as well.
On Oct. 18, Reuters reported that “Iran has promised to provide Russia with surface-to-surface missiles, in addition to more drones…”
This puts Iranian offensive weapons on the border of NATO, greatly expanding Iran's military reach in Europe.
I also noted that Iran may have sent Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) drone technicians or trainers to Ukraine to help Russians use their drones, which while effective have also reportedly had some operational or maintenance issues.
Since my piece, The New York Times, Reuters and CNN appear to have confirmed the reporting about the Iranian troops in Ukraine.
As CNN reports:
Sources familiar with US intelligence have told CNN that Iran has sent military trainers to Crimea to train and advise the Russian military on the use of Iranian-built drones that Moscow has used to rain down terror on cities across Ukraine.
The presence of Iranian personnel in occupied Ukrainian territory would mark a significant escalation in Iran's involvement in the war in support of Russia, and a new phase in the two countries' budding military alliance.
Reuters on Tuesday also reported that Iran may supply Russia with surface-to-surface missiles. Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denied the allegation, saying Iran “has always opposed the continuation of the [Ukraine] war.”
CNN adds:
Despite their differences, Iran and Russia have been getting closer because they “share the same threat perception,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish think tank in Washington. “They see a regional order aligned against them by an extra-regional power,” he said, referring to the United States.
If Iran sells missiles to Russia, this would mean that it is “moving some of its most accurate, some of its most precise ammunition closer to Europe,” he said. “It is critical to see Iranian involvement with Russia as part of its larger war with the West.”
While Russia's use of Iranian weapons may show its desperation in its Ukraine war, for Iran, the reports about its kamikaze drones are bolstering its martial image globally as it tries to demonstrate that it has world-class arms.
The top commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami bragged last month that some of the “world's major powers” are willing to purchase arms and military equipment from Iran.
It also provides Iran with a real-world lab to observe its drones in combat, so it can improve them.
However, observing Iranian weapons in combat goes both ways.
Amir Avivi, a retired senior general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and founder and CEO of the Israel Defense and Security Forum is quoted by CNN as saying:
It's a threat and it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity for us to really see [Iranian] capabilities on the grounds, learn about what's going on. On the other hand, one of the things that worries us is that [weapons]… might arrive to Hezbollah, for example, [or] to Hamas.
Meanwhile, the entire scenario is placing increasing pressure on Israel to get more involved in helping Ukraine, due in part, to its interest in countering Iran.
Breaking Defense reported:
Israeli defense sources said that the cooperation between Iran and Russia in Ukraine has changed the situation, and requires a total change in the Israeli approach towards giving Ukraine defensive systems. And Kyiv has noticed, today announcing plans to formally request Israeli air defense systems.
Earlier this week, the Ukrainian government sent a letter to Israeli officials asking them to provide their Iron Dome air defense system to help defend against Russian drone attacks using Iranian weapons, Axios reported.
“In order to ensure the protection of the peaceful population, Ukraine makes an official offer to Israel to initiate the practical mutual cooperation in the field of air/missile defense,” the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel wrote in the letter.
Ukraine also asked Israel for support in training its soldiers.
Designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, the Iron Dome could prove particularly useful against Iranian-made drones and rockets that Russia has begun to use against civilian targets.
This has become an even more pressing need as Iran ramps up its weapons sales to Russia, including the latest ballistic missiles. Reuters reported:
A Western official briefed on the matter confirmed it, saying there was an agreement in place between Iran and Russia to provide surface-to-surface short range ballistic missiles, including the Zolfaghar.
Another missile Iran will be providing is the Fateh-110. Both are short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with ranges of 186-435 miles.
It appears increasingly likely that the Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians with Iranian drones and Iran's ballistic missile sales may force Israel to change its stance and help Ukraine militarily.
As one Israeli minister announced.
The Israeli government denied this sentiment was official policy.
But if Israel finally does step up, it won't come without Russian consequences.
Dmitry Medvedev, once prime minister, currently deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia and a key ally of Putin, appeared to reference that Israeli tweet when he wrote on Telegram:
“It seems Israel will supply weapons to the Kyiv regime. A very reckless move. It will destroy all diplomatic relations between our countries.”
ALD
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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Interesting that Israeli air defense systems are regarded as necessary when NATO is supposedly providing air defense capability to Ukraine. Are we really that far behind?
Israel is under constant rocket and missile attack and have perfected their defense system called “Iron Dome”. They are the experts in defending specifically against the short-range Russian, Chinese, and Iranian missiles and rockets in use. They likely also have a huge inventory of resupply rockets for the Iron Dome system.
Russia what you are doing is a two way street!!! Israel have just as much rights to supply Ukraine as Iran to Russia. Putin its obvious your desperate!
Secret air strike like in 1981??
The Iranian missile purchase by Russia confirms what analysts have reported, that Russia is running out of missiles and rockets of their own. The same is possibly true of ammunition and other supplies and equipment. Already the Ukrainians are operating hundreds of Russian tanks left abandoned on the battlefield, out of fuel, having minor mechanical issues, or simply abandoned in rapid retreat. The Ukes recover them with farm tractors, repair, rearm, and refuel, then send the tanks back into the fields to kill Russians.
Though I’m not necessarily pro Israel I must say that Russia would do well not to tangle with their military. Israel doesn’t seem to go looking for trouble but when it comes their way they really seem to really handle it.