Former Iranian deputy parliament speaker, Ali Motahari, sharply criticized Russia on Monday. His comments focused on Moscow's refusal to supply Tehran with its advanced S-400 air defense system.

Motahari highlighted that Russia has provided the S-400 to countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Yet, Iran, which has offered crucial drone assistance for Russia's war in Ukraine, is denied the same system, possibly due to concerns it might be used against Israel.

He sarcastically questioned the nature of Russian President Putin's often-touted "strategic cooperation" with Iran. This suggests growing frustration within Tehran over the perceived imbalance in their military partnership.

The critique exposes underlying tensions in the Iran-Russia alliance. It underscores Iran's military needs and Moscow's strategic calculations regarding regional sensitivities, particularly concerning Israel.

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202506305791