By bnm Tehran bureau Iran’s first planned flight to Europe after several months of suspension, scheduled to depart from Tehran to Paris on January 31, has been cancelled by France, ISNA reported. The European Union,

Shadmani’s pronouncement is the first official confirmation of Tehran’s purchase of the Russian fighters that has long been suspected to be in the works. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the issue.

Iran’s purchase of the Su-35 shows its desperation to demonstrate an ability to deter further Israeli airstrikes.

Russia’s ties with Iran have grown closer after Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine and the West have accused Tehran of providing Moscow with hundreds of exploding drones for use against Ukraine, which Moscow and Tehran have denied.

NICOLE GRAJEWSKI is a Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an Associate with the Project on Managing the Atom at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is the author of Russia and Iran: Partners in Defiance From Syria to Ukraine.

Tehran confirmed the purchase of Moscow's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, strengthening the countries' military and political ties.

"Any time that we have the need, we will purchase military equipment for strengthening our Air Force, Army and Navy," Ali Shadmani said

Analysis: The 20-year strategic agreement bolsters bilateral ties as Russia and Iran reel from the loss of the Syrian regime, but frictions remain.

Tehran is conveying Moscow and Beijing's views on various issues during its talks with European countries, Majid Takht Ravanchi noted

Russia and Iran signed a mutual defense and security cooperation pact on Jan. 17 — just days before President Trump’s inauguration. Both nations are primary opponents of the U.S., demonstrated by Russia’s war against Ukraine and Iran’s attempts to assassinate Trump,

Now men will go content with what we spoiled. Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled. - Wilfred Owen, “Strange Meeting” (1919)  There have been

Russia and Iran signed a mutual defense and security cooperation pact on Jan. 17 — just days before President Trump’s inauguration. Both nations are primary opponents of the U.S., demonstrated by Russia’s war against Ukraine and Iran’s attempts to assassinate Trump,