Putin meets with Khamenei in Tehran, on sidelines of GECF

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), on 23NOV15 in Tehran.

According to Reuters, dated 23NOV15:

Iran's supreme leader, at a meeting with Russian President Putin in Tehran on Monday, said U.S. policies in the region were a threat to both countries and called for closer ties between Tehran and Moscow.

"The Americans have a long-term plot and are trying to dominate Syria and then the whole region...This is a threat to all countries, especially Russia and Iran," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Tehran, according to the state news agencies.

"The United states is trying to achieve its failed military objectives in Syria now through political means," he added, referring to proposed peace talks to end the civil war in Syria.

COMMENTARY: Iranian media depictions of meetings between Khamenei and world leaders non-aligned with the U.S.-led security order remain persistently anti-American in tone and substance, even after signage of JCPOA. To a certain extent, this latest depiction may be related to Iran's diplomatic reversal with the recent UNGA resolution condemning Iranian-backed intervention participations in the Syrian conflict.

Currently Russia Federation and Islamic Republic of Iran are engaged in aligned military interventions with Syrian Arab Republic, in the Syrian conflict.

Present at the meeting between Khamenei and Putin, left to right:
- Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister of Communication
- Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (L) with President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (R)

Gift offered by Vladimir Putin to Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei

Khamenei inspects Putin's gift: a replica of the oldest Koran in existence possessed by the Russian Federation

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

IRIAF combat aircraft, units escorting RuAF strategic aviation against ISIL

Illustration by Babak Taghvaee (click to enlarge) detailing IRIAF escort of RuAF strategic aviation transiting Iran to attack ISIL, Al-Qaeda (AQ) and AQ-aligned armed groups in Syria. From Mr. Taghvaee's observations, the following Iranian combat aircraft types, units and base locations include:

IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B) air superiority fighters (x2)
11th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers (x4)
31st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters (x4)
81st/82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan

File photo by Rahim Sharafi: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II of 31st TFS from Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan.

File photo by Babak Taghvaee: IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B), serial 3-6133 of 11th TFS from Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran.

File photo by MohammadReza Izadi: IRIAF F-14A Tomcats of 81st/82nd TFS from Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan.

Photo emerging 21NOV15 of errant RuAF Kh-101 ALCM that landed in Shush County, Khuzestan

Iran's Air Force escorts Russian strategic aviation during airstrike against ISIL

Social media video emerged 20NOV15 depicting Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-14A and F-4E combat aircraft rendering allied fighter escort for Russian Air Force (RuAF) strategic aviation over Iranian airspace. The Russian video depicts RuAF strategic aviation comprised of Tu-22M3 “Blinder’, Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-160 “Blackjack" combat aircraft. Video stills and complete video provided below:

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter, as filmed by RuAF crewman while traversing Iranian airspace.

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

What appears to be an IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E fighter-bomber accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform, emerging in Russian cameraman's LOS immediately following the drop-launch of ALCM. Next ALCM is now visible on rotated launcher.

COMMENTARY: IRIAF can now claim to have participated in the war against ISIL on two theaters: the Iraqi theater and now the Syrian theaters of war.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Iranian Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 23NOV15 in Tehran.

COMPLETE VIDEO:

UN Special Envoy for Yemen & Russian Deputy PM in Tehran

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (L) with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

The UN Special Envoy is in Tehran for talks on the latest developments in Yemen. He is visiting Iran following his trips to Saudi Arabia and Oman.

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed with IIranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian (R1).

Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (L) with Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (R), Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Rogozin's portfolio includes the Russian aerospace industry, shipbuilding, maritime operations, prevention and elimination of emergency situations, and the defense manufacturing sector.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (L) with Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Iran, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Upon the Russian Deputy Prime Minister's return to Moscow, it was reported by Tass the following:

Russia will be ready to go over to the partial localization of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 production in Iran, if Tehran takes a decision on purchasing ready-made aircraft, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin who has completed a two-day visit to Iran told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

and...

Iran and Russia have reached agreement on expanding cooperation in space research, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told TASS on Wednesday upon the end of talks with the Iranian Vice President in charge of science and technologies, Sorena Sattari.

COMMENTARY: The Russians are interested in providing Iranian commercial applications with GLONASS system, as well as providing satellite launch services.

IRGC Commander on Russia

“Our comrade in the north who has come to Syria now and is giving out military aid is actually seeking to secure its own interests, and probably is not after keeping Assad in power.” – IRGC Commander Gen. Aziz Jafari (Sharq, 3 November)

Photo: Iran’s Sharq newspaper headlining Gen. Jafari’s quotation. URL:http://sharghdaily.ir/News/77591 (Farsi)

Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft dock at Astrakhan, Russia

Russian media imagery of arriving Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft on 21OCT15 at Astrakhan, Russia. Note: the larger, deep-draft IRINS Damavand (77) Moudge-class frigate (FFGH) remains anchored at sea at the entry to the Volga-Caspian Canal.

Navigating the Volga-Caspian Canal into Astrkhan

Foreground: IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF)

Background: IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina class fast attack-craft (PGGF)

IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF) approaching dock at Asrtrakhan, Russia

IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft docking assisted by Russian Naval dock worker

IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF)

IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina-class fast attack craft approaching dock at Asrtrakhan, Russia, with dockside Russian Naval band accompaniment.

Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft successfully docked at Astrakhan, Russia

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri in command of the flotilla, at the gangway

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri (R) and Russian Navy captain 1st rank of Caspian Flotilla (L) address the press

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri receiving Russian traditional offering of bread and salt

Artesh contingent includes army colonel (L1) and two navy lieutenant commanders, commanding officers of IRINS Joshan (R1) and Peykan (R2).

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri shakes hands with Russian Navy captain 3rd rank

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri returns salute to Russian Navy captain 3rd rank

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri with ranking officers of Artesh delegation at Astrakhan, Russia

IRIN officers aboard Sina-class fast attack craft, behind DShKM type heavy machine gun

IRIN master chief petty officer (foreground) and chief petty officer (background)

Commanding officer of IRINS Joshan (P225) fast attack craft

IRIN lieutenant junior grade below Furono radar antennae, aboard IRINS Joshan (P225 fast attack craft

Photos: Michail Varlashin at astranovosti.ru

Russian-Iranian-Syrian-Iraqi military cooperation against ISIL

RuAF Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan at at Bassel al-Assad Airport, near Latakia, Syria

According to Reuters:

Iraq said on Saturday that its military officials were engaged in intelligence and security cooperation in Baghdad with Russia, Iran and Syria to counter the threat from the Islamic State militant group, a pact that could raise concerns in Washington.

A statement from the Iraqi military's joint operations command said the cooperation had come "with increased Russian concern about the presence of thousands of terrorists from Russia undertaking criminal acts with Daesh (Islamic State)."

The move could give Moscow more sway in the Middle East. It has stepped up its military involvement in Syria in recent weeks while pressing for Damascus to be included in international efforts to fight Islamic State, a demand Washington rejects.

COMMENTARY: News of this was first indicated by an anonymous American official last Friday. The next day, Iraqi Joint Forces Command issued statement confirming Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Iraqi military cooperation against ISIL.

From an objective military standpoint, such cooperation is logical. It's also possible maintaining of the logistical air bridge over Iraq to Syria was discussed.

An advantage of the Russians and Iranians in the war against Al-Qaeda and ISIL is possession of a reliable partner inside Syria. That reliable partner is the Syrian Arab Republic, a sovereign state recognized by the United Nations. Unfortunately, the United States lacks a reliable partner at anywhere near such a level inside Syria, with attempts to compose one so far rendering unsatisfactory results.

This move comes not only at a time where Russia has landed a significant military force into Syria, but also at a time where Baghdad is experiencing political crisis and military stalemate.

The move further enhances Russia and Iran's peace process for Syria, which will be the subject of discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session now in progress.

It is even being said the Iranians may be included in discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Yemen, a development a number of European high ranking officials recently advocated while visiting Tehran, seeking post-JCPOA economic ties.

Russia, Iran Sign MoU on S-300

Russia and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on delivery of Russian-made S-300 missile defense systems to Iran without specifying a timeframe, the Iranian state-run Press TV, quoting RIA Novosti, reported today.

“This week a memorandum on the implementation to supply Russian S-300 missile defense systems to Iran has been signed. It is a kind of a ‘roadmap,’” an unidentified official of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation was quoted as saying on Thursday. The report also said that no “timeframe” is specified in the MoU. (Press TV, 27 August) 

Without specifying a timeframe, it was not clear how useful the roadmap on the delivery of S-300 systems would be, and what purpose the MoU would serve. 

File photo: S-300 missile defense systems on parade at Moscow’s Red Square; May 2008 (CTV News

Iran delegation at MAKS-2015 air show in Moscow

Iranian attendees of the MAKS-2015 air show held at Zhukovsky Airfield, on 25AUG15 in the Moscow Region. What follows are photos of interest to embedded IRNA photographer:

9M82M3 and 9M83M3 missile display, included in exhibit of Almaz-Antey S-300VM "Antey-2500" (NATO: SA-23 Gladiator\Giant) Transportable SAM system.

Of interest are reports Iranian officials attending MAKS-2015 are intent on signing a deal for delivery of a S-300 series type system.  Note depicted system painted in desert tan, believed to be scheme applied to systems that entered service in Egypt in November 2014.

Tactical Missiles Corporation BAL-E Coastal Missile System with Kh-35E (3M-24E) anti-ship missile

Mil Mi-28N "Night Hunter" (NATO: Havoc) all-weather, day-night, military tandem, two-seat anti-armor attack helicopter

Kamov Ka-52K (NATO: Hokum B) naval attack helicopter prototype, intended for now cancelled delivery of Mistral-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessels.

Russian Air Force Mil Mi-8AMTS Terminator, RF-91418 / "62 Yellow" (cn AMTS00643136605U)

Left: KBP Instrument Design Bureau Pantsir-S1 (NATO: SA-22 Greyhound) combined short to medium range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon system. (note desert tan scheme)

Right: KBP Instrument Design Bureau Kornet-EM multi-purpose anti tank guided missile system, mounted on GAZ Tigr 4x4, multipurpose, all-terrain infantry mobility vehicle. (note desert tan scheme)

Display of Russian manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)

Russo-Indian (NPO Mashinostroeyenia / DRDO) short-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile, air-launched variant

Russian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevichi MiG-29 SMT (9-17) (NATO: Fulcrum), "777 Blue" displayed with R-27 series air-to-air missiles and B-13L rocket launcher.

Foreground: Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO: Fullback), "31 Red"

Background: Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-25SM (NATO: Frogfoot), RF-95488 / "04 Red"

Russian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31BM (NATO: Foxhound), "93 Blue" with “Guards” emblem and VVS ROSSII (“Russian Air Force”) markings.

Russian Air Force Beriev A-50U (NATO: Mainstay), RF-92957 / "47 Red" (cn 0043453577)

Foreground: Dexter Air Taxi Myasischev M-101T Gzhel, reg. RA-15111

Background: Aeroflot Airlines Tupolev Tu-144D (NATO: Charger), reg. CCCP-77115 (cn 09-1)

Mil Mi-38-2 transport helicopter 

Roscosmos Ilyushin Il-76MDK (NATO: Candid), RF-75353 (cn 1013495871)

 

Defying sanctions against the Russian Federation, attending MAKS-2015 is Airbus A350-900, reg. F-WXWB (cn 001)

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency