Iran Reportedly Receives Russian Jets, But They Aren't The Long-Sought-After Su-35 Flanker

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

62% : Just last March, Iran inaugurated the production line of its indigenous HESA Yasin training aircraft.
55% : Consequently, the delivery of these Yak-130 subsonic trainers could indicate Iran will eventually receive its long-sought-after Su-35s.
53% : However, these aircraft are not the Su-35 Flanker fighter jets Tehran had hoped to begin receiving this year.
53% : "While Iran has equipped the latest update of its Yasin jet trainer prototype with a glass cockpit and some advanced features, it is still far away from series production," Nadimi told me.
51% : Jets Iran ordered from Russia have begun arriving in the country, according to Iranian media reports.
51% : IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) markings.
50% : Tehran has since opted for the more advanced Su-35 over the Su-30.
49% : In recent weeks, there were increasing indications and reports Moscow had reneged on a prior agreement to sell Tehran 24-50 of those multirole super-maneuverable Sukhoi fighters.
47% : In 2019, the U.S. Defense Department's Defense Intelligence Agency speculated Iran would seek Yak-130s from Russia along with S-400 air defense missiles, Bastion coastal defense systems, T-90 tanks, and Su-30 jets once the UN arms embargo expired in October 2020.
40% : Such optimism has since been tempered, with one report suggesting that Russia had not fulfilled its end of a deal to supply Iran with 50 Su-35s Tehran had paid for in 2021 and expected to begin receiving this year.
39% : Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of drones, mostly single-use loitering munitions, for use in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
39% : And, as far as Tehran is concerned, it'd be a lot better late than never.
38% : There has long been widespread speculation Iran would at least receive the 24-or-so Su-35s Russia has already built for Egypt, which has since canceled the order.
38% : Either way, the Yak-130 delivery seemingly confirms Russia is at least delivering something to Iran after everything Tehran has supplied Moscow over the past 18 months.

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