Russian Su-57's secret visit to Iran raises eyebrows

A Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet has reportedly made an unexpected stop at Iran’s Bandar Abbas airbase, sparking curiosity and speculation within military and aviation circles.

Proceeding from the information of the sources, mainly from Iranian social media, the advanced warplane landed at the 9th Tactical Air Force Base while returning to Russia from Aero India 2025, an aerospace exhibition held in Bangalore, according to Bulgarian media. 

The stop was said to be brief, mainly for refueling before continuing its journey. This aligns with the operational needs of the jet, given the over 4,000-kilometer distance between India and Russia, depending on the chosen flight route.

The Su-57, with a subsonic range of around 3,500 kilometers on internal fuel, would plausibly require a pit stop, particularly after attending an international event like Aero India. Bandar Abbas, located strategically near the Persian Gulf, serves as a convenient refueling point, especially with the growing military ties between Moscow and Tehran.

Iranian military analysts have pointed out that this marks the first known instance of a Su-57 landing in Iran, signaling a departure from the usual practice of Russian jets refueling at Syria's Hmeimim airbase. However, with the recent collapse of Bashar Assad's regime, Hmeimim is no longer a viable option, prompting Russia to seek an alternative route through Iran.

This detour not only solved a logistical issue but also gave Tehran an opportunity to closely examine the advanced fifth-generation fighter, potentially a strategic benefit amid ongoing discussions of Russian arms sales to Iran. While neither Russian nor Iranian authorities have officially confirmed the landing, the lack of denial suggests that it may have been a routine move driven by necessity rather than a deliberate geopolitical maneuver.

The brief presence of such a sophisticated Russian jet in Iran raises questions, especially in light of reported deals for Su-35 fighters currently under negotiation.

While the explanation for the stop seems logical—long-distance travel, an interrupted usual refueling stop, and a quick layover at a friendly base—the reliance on unofficial Iranian sources leaves room for skepticism until more concrete evidence is presented.

The Su-57 had previously garnered attention at Aero India 2025, where it was showcased as part of Russia’s effort to demonstrate its aerospace capabilities. The biennial exhibition, held in mid-February at Bangalore’s Yelahanka Air Force Station, attracted global attention as manufacturers and military forces displayed their latest technologies. The Su-57 was presented as a rival to Western fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and F-22.

By Naila Huseynova