Iran agrees to purchase Su-35 fighter jets from Russia.
Restrictions on Iran's purchase of conventional weapons were lifted in October 2020.
247 - Iran has struck a deal to buy advanced Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, Iranian state media reported on Saturday, expanding a relationship that has seen Iranian-built drones used in the war in Ukraine.
"The Sukhoi-35 fighter jets are technically acceptable to Iran, and Iran has finalized a contract for their purchase," reported broadcaster IRIB, citing Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York.
The report contained no Russian confirmation of the agreement, the details of which were not disclosed. The mission said Iran had also inquired about the purchase of military aircraft from several other unidentified countries, IRIB reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran last July, emphasizing closer ties in the face of Western pressure to isolate Moscow.
Iran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia, but claims they were dispatched before the Russian military operation in Ukraine. Moscow denies that its forces use Iranian-made drones in Ukraine, although numerous reports from Ukraine indicate that the equipment has been shot down and recovered there.
In 2018, Iran said it had begun production of the locally manufactured Kowsar fighter jet for use in its air force.
Restrictions on Iran's purchase of conventional weapons were lifted in October 2020, in accordance with UN Resolution 2231, before Iran finally agreed to purchase the Su-35 aircraft, the mission noted. (With Reuters).