Russia is willing to help with the reconstruction of Syria as it continues to seek a deal with the country’s new leadership to retain two vital military bases, according to a senior Middle East policy adviser to the Russian government.

NICOLE GRAJEWSKI is a Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an Associate with the Project on Managing the Atom at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is the author of Russia and Iran: Partners in Defiance From Syria to Ukraine.

Shadmani’s pronouncement is the first official confirmation of Tehran’s purchase of the Russian fighters that has long been suspected to be in the works. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the issue.

Russia and Iran signed a mutual defense and security cooperation pact on Jan. 17 — just days before President Trump’s inauguration. Both nations are primary opponents of the U.S., demonstrated by Russia’s war against Ukraine and Iran’s attempts to assassinate Trump,

The MEA spokesperson added that 16 individuals have also gone missing, and the Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with Russian authorities regarding the matter.

While Moscow and Tehran have shared warmer relations for decades, a revival of the nations’ allyship occurred when the former invaded Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Friday to build a gas pipeline to Iran aimed at eventually transporting up to 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year to the West Asian country.

Iran has long sought an alliance to protect it in the face of potential conflict with adversaries, but the text of the agreement falls short of obligating either party to provide military support in the event of foreign aggression.

Iran confirms purchasing Russian Su-35 fighter jets amid deepening military ties with Moscow under a new 20-year strategic partnership treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a broad cooperation pact Friday as their countries deepened their partnership in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

Russia and Iran sign a 20-year strategic partnership agreement to bolster military, political, and economic cooperation amid Western sanctions and escalating tensions.

Cooperation in medical equipment sector In May 2024, Iran and Russia agreed to enhance their cooperation by ... of the 17th Joint Economic Committee meeting which was held in Tehran. The memorandum of understanding was compiled following several rounds ...