A Commander of the IRGC Says Iran Has Purchased Sukhoi-35 Fighter Jets from Russia

A senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that Iran has purchased Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia, amid growing Western concerns over military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. Ali Shadmani, the deputy coordinator of the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, warned on Monday, January 28, that 'military purchases will be made whenever necessary to strengthen air, ground, and naval forces,' adding that 'the production of military equipment continues at a faster pace.' This is the first time an Iranian official has officially confirmed the purchase of Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, although he did not specify how many jets were purchased or whether they have been delivered to Iran yet. The Tasnim news agency, close to the IRGC, reported in October 2023 that Iran had finalized the agreement to purchase the Russian Sukhoi-35 jets. In another part of his remarks, Shadmani warned regarding Israel, stating: 'If the enemy acts foolishly, it will taste the bitter flavor of our missiles, and none of its interests in the occupied territories will be safe.' He also claimed that in Israeli attacks, 'a few' of Iran's defense systems were damaged, which have now been replaced by 'new systems that are currently operational.' These statements come as the Israeli Prime Minister stated in late October that in response to an Iranian attack on April 14, Israel had destroyed one of four Iranian S-300 missile defense batteries in a limited operation and added that in an attack on November 5, 'the remaining three batteries' of this type of defense were destroyed. Earlier this month, Iran and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic agreement that, while not mentioning arms transfers, emphasized that the two countries would expand their 'military-technical' cooperation. Iran's Air Force fighter jets are relatively outdated, consisting of the same Russian jets and older American models purchased before the 1979 revolution.