Iran purchases spying balloons from Russia Deal details

Iran is buying aerostats from Russia that can be used for espionage. Tehran and Moscow have been working together since at least 2020.

According to Meduza, anti-Iranian regime hackers from the Prana Network group leaked the email services of local company Sahara Thunder which is believed to be a "front company" between Russia and Iran.

The data leaked into the network described the details of the exchange of military technology between Tehran and Moscow. The publication analysed the archive and found that Iran was buying spy balloons from Russia, similar to the Chinese ones shot down over the US.

The publication found email correspondence between the Iranian company Sahara Thunder and the Russian company Vneshtekhsnab, which exports the equipment. The emails provide for the delivery of products from the Dolgoprudny Design Bureau of Automation to Iran. As noted, the bureau is involved in the design of airships, balloons and special systems. The project concerned balloons which Iran called "Demavend".

Representatives of the parties began correspondence on November 11, 2022. The management of Russia's Vneshekhsnab said it was already in the process of obtaining approvals for the delivery of dozens of equipment, including an aerostat weather station, a baro valve, an aerostat beacon, a control panel, etc.

All these parts represent the equipment of an unmanned airship or aerostat. The design office itself states that such vehicles can monitor the situation in real-time in water areas, near borders, on roads, in residential areas and at events.

According to the leaked letters, all aerostats and components were shipped by sea. This made transport easier, as ships could deactivate the trackers.

Commenting on the leaked documents, the head of Russia's Vneshtekhsnab said he was not yet familiar with Iran's Demavend project. But he did not rule out that the aerostats could be used for other purposes.