Video showing a MiG-29 fighter jet flying over Tehran has emerged just days after Iran’s air force took delivery of Russian-built aircraft, raising new questions about a military buildup in the wake of its recent 12-day war with Israel.
Reports also suggest a Russian An-124 heavy cargo plane departed Irkutsk in Siberia for Iran, linking the transfer to a site known for producing Su-30SM2 fighters and Yak-130 training jets. The developments have stirred renewed alarm about the potential for another conflict in the region.
Newsweek has reached out to the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Iran via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The appearance of advanced Russian aircraft in Iranian skies would mark a significant escalation in Tehran’s efforts to rebuild its air power after the conflict with Israel. Iran’s air defense systems and strike capabilities were heavily targeted and weakened during the June clashes, and bolstering its fleet with Russian fighters could alter the regional balance of power. The move underscores its reliance on Moscow as a key partner in restoring deterrence and signaling strength to rivals.
What To Know
Clips of the MiG-29 flying over Tehran have circulated widely on social media, showing what appears to be one of the newly acquired jets maneuvering above the capital. Open-source intelligence accounts amplified reports of a Russian An-124 heavy-lift aircraft leaving Irkutsk for Iran the previous day, though details of the cargo have not been independently confirmed. Together, the sightings and aviation tracking data have fueled speculation that new aircraft or parts have recently arrived in Iran.
Irkutsk Aviation Plant’s Role
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant, located in Siberia, has long been identified as a manufacturing site for Su-30SM2 multirole fighters and Yak-130 combat training jets. A flight from the Irkutsk to Iran could carry advanced aircraft or components. The transport aircraft is capable of moving large airframes or major equipment over long distances, though no official statements have confirmed the details of this mission.
Post-War Military Rebuilding
Iran’s acquisition of Russian fighters comes at a time of urgent reconstruction. The 12-day conflict with Israel exposed vulnerabilities in Tehran’s aerial defenses and missile production facilities, many of which sustained heavy damage. U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict added to the toll, hitting sensitive infrastructure and setting back parts of Iran’s program. In the weeks since, Iran has sought to rapidly replace and modernize its arsenal. Alongside the MiG-29 deliveries, Chinese HQ-9 and Russian S-400 air defense systems are also being supplied in significant numbers, further strengthening Tehran’s efforts to rebuild its layered defense network.
Nuclear Energy Deal With Russia
On Friday, Iran and Russia signed a $25-billion agreement to construct four nuclear power plants. Iran currently operates only one nuclear plant in Bushehr, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, covering a fraction of the country’s energy needs. The deal came just hours before the U.N. reimposed sanctions on Saturday, targeting uranium enrichment and ballistic missile activities, citing Iran’s violations of the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA).
What People Are Saying
Member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee Abolfazl Zohrevand: “Once these systems are fully in place, our enemies will understand the language of power.”
Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. Dmitry Polyansky: “Any attempts to revive the U.N. Security Council’s anti-Iran resolutions in effect before 2015 are unlawful and unviable.”
What Happens Next
Open-source intelligence tracking and further satellite imagery will determine whether the MiG-29 sightings represent a limited transfer or the beginning of a broader Russian-Iranian arms pipeline. With regional tensions still simmering after the 12-day war with Israel, the question is whether these deliveries bolster deterrence or serve as a catalyst for another round of confrontation.
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