ISW: Iran seeks Russian assistance to strengthen control over its borders

Iran seeks Russian assistance in enhancing its border security in its fight against “terrorism”.

Artesh Ground Forces Commander Brig Gen Kiomars Heydari travelled to Moscow between August 20-23, Caliber.Az reports per the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Heydari met with Russian Ground Forces Commander GenOleg Salyukov and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Heydari and Salyukov discussed improving combat readiness and agreed to increase military cooperation on August 21, as CTP previously reported,” the report says.

Heydari also visited Russia’s border surveillance equipment centre and defence equipment production centre. Heydari stated on August 23 that Iran will continue to deepen its cooperation with Russia to combat “terrorism.”

According to ISW, Heydari’s visit to the border surveillance equipment centre and comment about “terrorism” indicate that Iran seeks Russian assistance in enhancing its border security.

ISW analysts note that by terrorists the Iranian authorities mean almost all neighbouring countries.

The regime most recently blamed the August 13 Shah Cheragh Shrine attack in Shiraz, Fars Province, on foreign nationals who illegally entered Iran via its eastern border. Iranian media criticised the Afghan Taliban’s failure to ensure border security on August 15, the second anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, moreover.

Heydari’s visit to the defence equipment production centre indicates that the Artesh Ground Forces are looking to Russia to fulfil some of its defence equipment needs, the report says.

“Procuring Russian equipment for the Artesh Ground Forces or securing Russian assistance to produce the equipment in Iran would expand the military support the Kremlin already provides to the Iranian regime. Russia is assisting Iran with the development of space launch vehicles and missiles and Iran has sought to purchase Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia, for example,” the report added.