As Kyiv Post reported earlier, Russia has allegedly transferred Iskander and Murmansk-BN ballistic missile systems to Tehran after Iran threatened to strike Israel in retaliation for the killing of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Iran, which has supplied Russia with military aid including hundreds of Shahed kamikaze drones for Moscow’s war on Ukraine, has now asked for support from the Kremlin. According to the New York Times Tehran took the opportunity presented by this week’s visit of Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council, to provide much needed advanced air defense systems as the likelihood of war with Israel escalates.

Shoigu met with newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, as well as Chief of the General Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, who is believed to be in charge of plans for attacks on Israel.

Following the meetings, Shoigu said that Russia is “ready for full cooperation with Iran on regional issues,” while Bagheri said relations between the countries were “deep, long-term and strategic,” adding that they will only expand under Iran’s new leadership.

According to the NYT, citing two Iranian officials familiar with military planning, including a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Russia has already begun to supply modern radars and air defense systems. This despite the historically close economic and cultural ties with Israel resulting from its large of Russian Jewish population. Analysts believe Moscow could not reject Tehran’s appeals as it is increasingly relying on Iranian along with North Korean military support for its war against Ukraine.