Russia is providing Iran with air defence systems for a possible war with Israel, it has been reported.

Two Iranian officials, cited by the New York Times, said deliveries of advanced radar and air defence equipment had already started arriving, as the Islamic republic braced itself to attack.

In recent days, US and Israeli officials have warned that both Iran and Hezbollah have plans to strike Israel, in retaliation for two assassinations.

In less than 12 hours last week, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s military commander, in an air strike on a building in Beirut and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, who was in Iran for the inauguration of its new president. 

Israel Katz, foreign minister of Israel, said on Monday that Iran had decided to attack. He said he had received a warning from Iran’s foreign minister through their Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto.

Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in April, in its first ever attack on the Jewish state.

The Islamic Republic’s foreign minister said on Monday it was not seeking to escalate regional tension but intended to punish Israel for killing Haniyeh in its capital.

Strategic ally

The wider threat of instability means Iran has sought help from Russia to ensure it has the firepower to fight.

Military relations between the two countries – both ruled by despots – have flourished since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.

Tehran has shipped kamikaze attack drones to Moscow, and helped the Kremlin set up a factory to produce its own.

Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president, said on Monday that he was determined to expand relations with Russia, describing it as a “strategic partner” in Iranian state media.

He spoke as Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s security council, visited Iran. “Russia is among the countries that have stood by the Iranian nation during difficult times,” Mr Pezeshkian told Mr Shoigu, Iranian state media reported.

Their meetings prompted unconfirmed reports out of Israel that Russia was considering sending ballistic missiles and satellite-blocking technologies to Tehran.

However, Western officials have previously said Russia lacks precision long-range weapons for its war in Ukraine, making this move unlikely.

US intelligence officials told President Joe Biden they believed there would be two waves of attacks on Israel – one from Iran and the second from Hezbollah. They said it was unclear which party would seek to strike first.

Rocket attack in Iraq

On Monday, several US personnel were injured in a rocket attack on an airbase in Iraq.

A US defence official said: “We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against US and Coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq.

“Initial indications are that several US personnel were injured. Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment.”

The Pentagon blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for the attack, branding it a “dangerous escalation”.