MOSCOW, Mar 26 (V7N) – Russia is reportedly close to completing a significant shipment of military and humanitarian aid to Iran, including domestically produced drones and critical intelligence data, as the conflict with the U.S. and Israel enters its second month. According to a report by the Financial Times, citing Western intelligence officials, the delivery began in early March following secret negotiations held immediately after the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations in late February. The shipment—which is expected to reach Iranian ports by the end of this month—includes not only advanced "Geran-2" drones (the Russian version of the Iranian-designed Shahed-136) but also over 300 tons of food and medical supplies.

The Kremlin’s support has evolved beyond humanitarian aid into active military cooperation, with reports indicating that Moscow is providing Tehran with satellite imagery and targeting data from the Russian Aerospace Forces. This intelligence has allegedly been used by Iranian forces to track U.S. naval movements and improve the accuracy of retaliatory strikes against regional radar systems. While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the reports of lethal aid as "fakes" and "lies" during a press briefing on Thursday, he confirmed that "intensive dialogue" with the Iranian leadership is ongoing. He emphasized that Moscow's current priority is humanitarian assistance, noting that 13 tons of medicine were already delivered via Azerbaijan last week, with a larger 300-ton cargo train currently in transit through the same route.

Western officials suggest that Moscow is intervening not only to bolster Iran's combat capabilities but also to ensure the "political stability" of its closest Middle Eastern ally following the killing of senior leadership. However, Russia has reportedly drawn a line at supplying its most advanced S-400 air defense systems, fearing that such a move would trigger a direct and uncontrollable escalation with Washington. Despite the influx of Russian technology, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales downplayed the impact of the aid, stating that U.S. operations have already led to a 95% reduction in Iranian drone effectiveness. As the war continues, the "full circle" of drone diplomacy—where Russia now returns modified technology back to the country that originally supplied it—highlights the deepening strategic bond between the two sanctioned nations.

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