Russia’s second-hand MiG-29 fighter jets have touched down in Iran, giving the country’s ageing air force a short-term boost amid escalating Middle East tensions, an Iranian lawmaker said Tuesday.
Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of parliament’s National Security Committee, called the second-hand MiG-29s a “short-term solution” while Tehran awaits the Sukhoi Su-35 jets, signalling a broader push to strengthen its military capabilities.
These MiG-29s were produced ten years ago, as Russia no longer produces new MiG-29s due to international sanctions and the lack of significant foreign orders. These jets were planned to be sold to Bangladesh, Serbia and Egypt. However, Serbia, Bangladesh and Egypt rejected MiG-29s in favour of European fighter jets.
“Once these systems are fully in place, our enemies will understand the language of power,” Zohrevand told local media, highlighting Tehran’s determination to project strength as regional and global powers watch closely.
The MiG-29 deliveries arrive in the wake of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, which exposed weaknesses in Iran’s aging air force and defense network. Israeli strikes during the war targeted Iranian assets, highlighting vulnerabilities that Tehran is now moving to address. The new jets provide a boost while signaling Iran’s intent to modernize its aerial capabilities rapidly. The move underscores Tehran’s determination to rebuild its military strength and enhance deterrence amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have arrived in Iran and are stationed in Shiraz, while Sukhoi Su-35 jets are also on the way,” Zohrevand said. He added that China’s HQ-9 air defense system and Russia’s S-400 system were being supplied to Iran “in significant numbers.”
Following recent clashes with Israel, Zohrevand emphasized that the MiG-29 jets are part of a broader effort to strengthen Iran’s air capabilities rapidly. The aircraft serve as an interim measure until Su-35s arrive, though Moscow has not yet officially confirmed any shipments.
Iran has long struggled to modernize its air force, which still relies heavily on U.S.-made jets purchased before the 1979 revolution, supplemented by a small number of Russian aircraft and domestically upgraded platforms. The country’s vulnerabilities were exposed earlier this year when Israeli strikes destroyed its last Russian-supplied S-300 air defense systems, which Tehran had acquired in 2016, leaving significant gaps in its protective network.
To compensate, Iran has bolstered its indigenous air defenses by developing the Bavar-373 long-range surface-to-air missiles, the Khordad and Sayyad missile systems, the Arman long-range anti-ballistic missile defenses, and the S-200 Ghareh long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Beyond its military buildup, Iran is seeking to leverage its growing capabilities diplomatically. Referencing the Cairo agreement signed earlier this year with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Zohrevand described the recent acquisitions as a “victory card” at a time when European powers were considering reimposing United Nations sanctions on Iran. “We should not view this negatively; it strengthens our hand,” he underlined, suggesting that Tehran sees its expanding air and missile capabilities both as a deterrent and as a tool to strengthen its position in international negotiations.
Iran’s military modernization indicates additional deliveries of advanced aircraft and air defense systems in the near term, signaling Tehran’s intention to close capability gaps and enhance its aerial power. These upgrades could reshape the regional balance of power by complicating Israel’s operational planning and challenging U.S. influence in the Middle East.
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