Russian Missile Sale to Iran Involves Unseen Deals With Israel
An Iranian military truck carries a Bavar-373 air defence missile system past a portrait of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei during the Army Day parade in Tehran on April 18. Photographer: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images
Last month, when President Vladimir Putin of Russia announced plans to sell a powerful anti-missile system to Iran before the lifting of international sanctions, Israel was quick to join the U.S. in expressing shock and anger.
But behind the public announcements is a little-known web of arms negotiations and secret diplomacy. In recent years, Israel and Russia have engaged in a complex dance, with Israel selling drones to Russia while remaining conspicuously neutral toward Ukraine and hoping to stave off Iranian military development. The dance may not be over.