- February 6, 2025
- 4:12 pm
- Middle East
Iran has utilized Russian military facilities in Syria to transfer arms to its proxy groups, operating under the assumption that Israel would refrain from targeting the bases housing Russian military personnel.
Russia and Iran: the shadow market of weapons and the protection of Hezbollah terrorists
While Russia and Iran officially refer to each other as strategic partners, their collaboration in recent years has expanded significantly beyond the realms of diplomacy and economics. A key aspect of their partnership has been the arms trade. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, arms transactions between Tehran and Moscow have escalated. These weapons are not only being deployed on the battlefields of Ukraine but are also being funneled to Hezbollah militants through logistical hubs in Syria and Lebanon.
According to a report by BBC, published on February 6, 2025, Iran has leveraged Russian military facilities in Syria for the transfer of weapons to its proxy groups, under the presumption that Israel would eschew attacking bases that host Russian forces.
However, this assumption proved unfounded. In October 2024, the Israeli Air Force targeted the Khmeimim Russian base in Syria, where intelligence indicated supplies of weapons intended for Hezbollah were stored. This action sent a clear message that the presence of Russian forces does not guarantee Iran’s immunity from Israeli strikes.
“Humanitarian carpets” that detonate
Arms supplies through Syria were often masked as humanitarian aid. In October 2024, the Russian propaganda channel RT aired a segment depicting an Iranian aircraft arriving at the Syrian port of Latakia, officially claiming it was delivering humanitarian assistance. However, it later emerged that the cargo was far from benign.
Just two days after the unloading of this aircraft, the Israeli Air Force conducted a strike on the Khmeimim Russian airbase. Reports from the scene indicated not only visible damage but also secondary explosions—a clear indicator that ammunition was concealed among the “humanitarian aid.” One source for the BBC, familiar with the Russian military contingent in Syria, remarked: “Everyone knows that carpets are detonated to obliterate an entire airbase.”
This incident further underscored that Russian military facilities were being used as transshipment points for arms destined for Iran and its affiliates.
Iranian planes and protection against Israeli strikes
An Iranian airline, Qeshm Fars Air, plays a significant role in the clandestine arms trade between Moscow and Tehran. This airline has faced U.S. sanctions multiple times for transporting arms to Hezbollah militants. In 2024, its cargo planes made several stops at the Khmeimim Russian airbase before proceeding to Lebanon.
Israeli intelligence noted as early as 2023 that Iran might exploit Russian facilities in Syria as a “living shield,” banking on the assumption that Israel would hesitate to strike bases occupied by Russian forces. However, as Lt. Col. Sarit Zedvi, an expert on the Middle East, indicated, Israel remains steadfast in neutralizing threats, regardless of their alleged protective cover by Russian presence.
“We immediately raised the question of what Russia is compensating Iran for regarding the drones used against Ukraine. The initial thought was Syria. Russia could be trading influence in the region by allowing Iran greater operational freedom,” Zedvi stated.
Read more on Nanovosti – Israeli News.
Russian “Cornets” in Lebanon: a new threat to Israel
In November 2024, the Israeli army discovered large stockpiles of Russian weaponry in Lebanon, supplied by Hezbollah. Among the findings were anti-tank missile systems (ATGM) “Cornet” that were previously deployed against Israeli forces in 2006.
Former Head of Israeli Intelligence, Major General Aaron Zeevi-Farkash, had warned back in 2005 that Russian “Cornets” were being funneled to terrorists through Syria. Although Israel has accused Moscow of supplying Hezbollah with weapons, Russia has consistently denied these allegations.
How Russian weapons reach terrorists:
- Through official deliveries to Syria – The Syrian army receives weapons from Russia and subsequently transfers them to Hezbollah.
- Through Iranian channels – Russia and Iran exchange military equipment, after which Iranians provide a portion of the arms to their proxy entities.
- Through logistics bases in Africa – Certain shipments transit through Sudan and Eritrea, from where the weapons enter Lebanon.
In Lebanon, the Israeli army uncovered dozens of new Cornet missiles in factory packaging marked with “Rosoboronexport” and included Russian-language instructions.
“The Kornet missiles were packaged in factory-sealed, moisture-resistant materials. These are undoubtedly new deliveries. They’ve been left behind as they couldn’t be extracted quickly,” stated the Israeli military.
Conclusion: Russia, Iran, and terrorists—a coalition posing a threat to Israel
Russia and Iran’s military cooperation extends beyond Ukraine and the Middle East. Weapons produced in Russia travel through Syria to reach Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.
In dire need of Iranian drones and ballistic missiles for its war against Ukraine, Russia seems to be trading influence in Syria, granting Tehran greater leeway in the region.
Nonetheless, Israel has already made it clear that any military threat will be neutralized, irrespective of who orchestrates it. The strike on Khmeimim signaled that Russia cannot shield Iran’s terrorist activities from being targeted on its territory.
The pressing question remains: how far will this alliance extend—and what other threats might it pose to Israel, Ukraine, and the wider democratic world?
