---
title: "Russian-Iranian Deal For Su-35s Finalized, State Media Reports"
date: "2023-03-11"
modified: "2023-03-11"
authors:
  - name: "Stetson Payne"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne"
url: "https://www.twz.com/russian-iranian-deal-for-su-35s-finalized-state-media-reports"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Around The Globe"
  - "Europe"
  - "Fighters"
  - "Iran"
  - "Middle East"
  - "News & Features"
  - "Russia"
tags:
  - "Ukraine"
---

# Russian-Iranian Deal For Su-35s Finalized, State Media Reports

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/11/SU35-Iran.jpg>)
*Dmitry Avdeev/Wikicommons*

An Iranian state-run broadcaster, *IRIB*, [reports](<https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/3783720/%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AE%D9%88-%DB%B3%DB%B5>) Russia and Iran have agreed on the purchase of [Su-35 “Flanker-E”](<https://www.twz.com/12700/people-are-freaking-out-over-video-of-su-35-practicing-for-moscow-air-show>) fighter jets for the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).

*IRIB*’s report cited Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations that a contract has been finalized, but at this time there has not been corresponding confirmation from Russia.

https://twitter.com/ReutersIran/status/1634580261714182151

https://twitter.com/IrnaEnglish/status/1634481569300709377

While the *IRIB* report ties the sale to the October 2020 expiration of [Iran’s conventional arms embargo](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-russia-relying-on-degraded-ammo-says-pentagon>), an announcement has been somewhat expected, with the likelihood of a deal being disclosed growing significantly throughout 2022. IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi publicly stated in September that Iran was specifically interested in Russian “4++ generation fighters,” with indications pointing to the Su-35 being the type.

Senior U.S. officials revealed in December that [Russia trained Iranian pilots on the Su-35](<https://www.twz.com/pilot-training-indicates-russia-will-deliver-su-35s-to-iran-next-year>) in Spring 2022, with the training and eventual transfers tied to [continued support for Russia’s war](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-irans-barter-of-military-assistance-to-russia-grows-deeper>) in Ukraine.

Not long after Iran unveiled its partially [underground "Eagle 44" air base](<https://www.twz.com/iran-unveils-underground-fighter-caves-housing-f-4-phantoms>) last month, what appeared to be a Flanker mockup [was spotted in satellite imagery](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-irans-barter-of-military-assistance-to-russia-grows-deeper>) of the facility, further pointing to the type's possible arrival. The heavily hardened base would also make sense for what would become by far Iran's most prized combat aircraft.

https://twitter.com/ckoettl/status/1626665431707664384

The reported deal could possibly include the 24 Su-35SEs [once destined for Egypt](<https://www.twz.com/35055/here-are-the-first-photos-of-egypts-new-su-35-super-flankers>) before the threat of U.S. sanctions and a [teased offer of F-15s](<https://www.twz.com/44798/egypt-poised-to-be-offered-f-15s-from-u-s-but-actually-making-it-happen-wont-be-easy>).

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1504326767112245248?s=20

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters in February that Iran seeks billions worth of "additional military equipment from Russia including attack helicopters, radars, and the [Yak-130](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-130>) combat trainer aircraft."

Iran has helped Russia's war [effort in Ukraine in multiple ways](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-irans-barter-of-military-assistance-to-russia-grows-deeper>), including by delivering [kamikaze drones](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-more-iranian-kamikaze-drones-headed-to-russia-says-kyiv>) for Russia’s continued air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, with a potential [short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)](<https://www.twz.com/an-iranian-ballistic-missile-storm-is-on-ukraines-horizon>) transfer also still a possibility. The broader cooperation between the two countries could also include Russia transferring the advanced [S-400 surface-to-air missile](<https://www.twz.com/russia-now-firing-s-300-surface-to-air-missiles-at-land-targets-in-ukraine-official>) system. Russia trading arms with Iran, especially existing ones, would help offset large direct costs of procuring additional weaponry for both sides.

Iranian Su-35s, even only two dozen of them, would represent a significant leap in air combat capability over the [aging and oft-cannibalized](<https://www.twz.com/33456/iran-equipped-its-f-14s-with-modified-hawk-sams-that-had-bombs-attached-to-their-noses>) American, Chinese, and Soviet-era fighters in its inventory. Given the reported deal, past training, and continued cooperation, the next step could well be the Su-35s landing at Iranian air bases.

*Contact the author:* [*stetson.payne@thewarzone.com*](<mailto:stetson.payne@thewarzone.com>)

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