The Institute for War Studies (ISW) assessed on November 9 that Iran is attempting to purchase the S-400 long-range air defense system from Russia to counter the risk of a potential renewed US military strike. However, Russia, constrained by losses in the Ukraine conflict and its own air defense needs, is unlikely to provide the equipment. According to a November 6 report in The Daily Telegraph, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei dispatched National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei to Moscow on November 5 to deliver a personal letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, specifically requesting the purchase of the S-400 system. A senior Iranian official stated that Iran is optimistic about acquiring the system, but there is no evidence of a deal being reached or a delivery timetable. ISW points out that Russia is unlikely to currently redeploy key equipment such as the S-400 from the Ukraine conflict to Iran, and the ongoing attacks in Ukraine are also putting significant pressure on Russia's own air defense systems. Iran's purchase request reflects a significant gap in its air defense system following the potential US-Israel military strikes between 2024 and 2026.
