Iranian official accuses Russia of sharing air defence secrets with Israel

An Iranian official has leveled unprecedented accusations against Moscow, claiming Russia passed sensitive military information to Israel during the recent conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

“Russia provided Israel with information about Iran’s air defence sites,” Mohammad Sadr, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, said on August 24, Caliber.Az reports via Al Arabiya. 

He added that the 12-day war with Israel in June demonstrated that “the strategic alliance with Moscow is worthless," 

The remarks follow a an exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran earlier this summer, with Tel Aviv targeting Iranian military installations, which also killed senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Despite its close ties with Tehran, Russia restricted its response to verbal condemnations, drawing criticism within Iran.

In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a strategic partnership treaty in Moscow, aimed at boosting cooperation, particularly in the military sphere. However, the deal stopped short of a mutual defence pact similar to the one Russia signed with North Korea.

During the June conflict, Iran sought more concrete backing. On June 23, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Moscow to request new air defence systems and assistance in repairing nuclear facilities damaged by Israeli attacks. Russia declined to provide military aid and instead issued statements condemning Israel’s actions.

Tensions over Moscow’s reliability as a partner are not new. In 2024, Israeli strikes destroyed all Russian-supplied S-300 systems deployed in Iran. The more advanced S-400 systems promised by Moscow were never delivered.

By Sabina Mammadli