Here’s why Iran can’t purchase Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker fighter jets from Russia

Earlier this year Iran held negotiations with Russia over the acquisition of Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-role fighter jets

The Russian Ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, told Tehran Times that due to United Nations (UN) Resolution 2231, it will be difficult for Iran to acquire Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker fighters.

Actually earlier this year Iran held negotiations with Russia over the acquisition of Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-role fighter jets.

But in April the U.S. Department of State Undersecretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon explained that the Su-30 purchase (as well as those related to other kind of weapons) requires the permission of the UN Security Council.

A claimed confirmed also by Dzhagaryan who, during the 22nd international press exhibition in Tehran said, “As you know, after the JCPOA was signed, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, setting out the restrictions.”

Furthermore the Russian Ambassador added that even if his country is ready “to cooperate with Iran on this sensitive issue,” Russia intends to adhere to the restrictions set out by the UN Security Council.

The JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) is a nuclear deal signed in July 2015 by Iran and the 5+1 group (that refers to the UN Security Council permanent members which are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.; plus Germany). The deal went into effect in January 2016, limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for removal of international sanctions imposed on the country.

The Su-30, which is regarded as the premier Russian Air and Space Force (RuASF) fighter, can be armed with a large array of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons and has been a subject to incremental upgrades. Thanks to its capabilities this multi-role version of the Flanker would be the ideal aircraft to replace the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) aging fighter fleet, that consists mainly of F-4D/E Phantom IIs, of which 50 examples are currently in service.

Photo credit: Dmitry Terekhov from Odintsovo, Russian Federation (Su-30SM)