Iran Finalizes Deal with Russia to Purchase Sukhoi-35 Fighter Jets

Iranian state media reported on Saturday that Tehran has reached an agreement to purchase advanced Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia. The Iranian news agency quoted Tehran's mission to the United Nations in New York stating that "the Sukhoi-35 fighter jets are technically acceptable to Iran, and Iran has signed a contract to buy them." The report did not include any Russian confirmation of the agreement nor did it reveal details about it. The mission also mentioned that Iran has inquired about purchasing military aircraft from several other undisclosed countries. Iran has admitted to sending drones to Russia, but claims they were sent before last year's invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies that its forces are using Iranian-made drones in Ukraine, despite many of them being shot down there and their wreckage being discovered.