Report: Iran Receives Missile Defense Systems From Russia

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    Above: Iranians take part in a protest against the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas, in Palestine Square in Tehran, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Image copyright: Majid Saeedi/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    The Facts

    • Amid fears that Iran-Israel tensions could soon escalate to an all-out regional war, unnamed Iranian officials, speaking to the New York Times, said that Russia has begun supplying the country with advanced air defense and radar equipment, after officials in Tehran asked Moscow for support.

    • The report came as Sergei Shoigu, Russia's former defense minister, visited Iran on Monday and met with the country's top leadership, including the newly elected Pres. Masoud Pezeshkian.

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    The Spin

    Pro-Israel narrative

    It is no surprise that Iran is seeking Russia's support as both share a common enemy in the US and NATO. And, while Russia is struggling financially, it cannot afford to reject Tehran's request for weaponry as it is heavily reliant on Iranian drones for its Ukrainian war effort.

    Ynetnews

    Pro-Iran narrative

    Iran is not seeking to expand the scope of the crisis in the Middle East. However, Israel must be punished for breaching Iran's sovereign borders and carrying out an extrajudicial assassination of a political official on Iranian soil.

    Iran International

    Metaculus Prediction