Iran expects to take delivery of advanced Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets once the ongoing conflict with the United States concludes, according to a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. General Mohammad Akraminia disclosed the impending acquisitions during a Sunday interview with the Persian-language media outlet Tabnak, noting that the procurement process had reached its final stages before hostilities began in late February.
While Akraminia did not explicitly name Moscow during the interview, the Su-35 is exclusively designed and manufactured by Sukhoi, a division of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation. Russia permits foreign nations, including Iran, to operate the aircraft. Although the fighter jets were originally scheduled for delivery prior to the outbreak of fighting, Akraminia did not provide reasons for the delay.
“We had already completed the necessary preliminary work, including the procurement process and the signing of contracts,” Akraminia said. “The necessary work concerning pilot training and instruction had also been completed, and there were no longer any problems in that regard. In fact, these aircraft were supposed to arrive before the war. God willing, we will certainly receive them after the war and upgrade our air fleet.”
Beyond foreign purchases, Akraminia outlined plans to expand Iran’s domestic defense manufacturing. He emphasized that acquiring foreign military hardware facilitates technology transfer, providing a foundation for native military development. He also stressed that operating sophisticated hardware like the Su-35 requires complementary infrastructure, revealing that Tehran is actively working to build up its ground-based radar, airborne systems, and satellite capabilities to ensure the aircraft can reach its full operational potential.
Addressing the broader defense sector, Akraminia pointed to heavy American sanctions as a major impediment to military modernization, arguing that restrictions extend well beyond trade and oil to severely impact defense technologies. Despite these barriers, he asserted that domestic achievements stem from native specialists and young professionals across local defense industries, universities, and knowledge-based enterprises. He further claimed that Iran did not utilize any foreign-produced weaponry during conflicts with the United States.
