Russia to Supply Iran With 2,500 Missiles and 500 Portable Launch Units in Secret €500 Million Arms Deal

London / Moscow, February 23, 2026
Iran and Russia have concluded a secret arms agreement worth approximately €500 million (US$589 million), under which Moscow will supply Tehran with thousands of advanced shoulder-fired air defence missiles, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing leaked Russian documents and multiple sources familiar with the deal.
The agreement, signed in Moscow in December 2025, commits Russia to deliver 500 man-portable “Verba” launch units and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years.  (Wikipedia) The missiles are planned to be delivered to Iran in three separate phases between 2027 and 2029.  (euronews)
The Verba is described as one of Russia’s most modern shoulder-fired, infrared-guided air defence systems, capable of targeting cruise missiles, low-flying aircraft, and drones. Operated by small mobile teams, it allows forces to create dispersed defences without relying on fixed radar installations, which are more vulnerable to strikes. 
The deal was negotiated between Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms export agency, and the Moscow representative of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). According to documents seen by the newspaper, Rosoboronexport is selling the 9M336 missiles at €170,000 per unit and the launch systems at €40,000 each.
Iran officially requested the missile systems in July 2025, following US and Israeli strikes in June.Experts believe that the Verba systems will not fundamentally change Iran’s ability to fend off air strikes from the United States or Israel, but could complicate the use of helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
Iran also received at least six Russian-made Mi-28E attack helicopters in January 2026, and is reportedly also planning to purchase two squadrons of Su-35S fighter jets from Russia. 
The disclosure comes at a particularly sensitive moment. News of the secret missile deal has emerged as tensions rise alongside ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with US President Donald Trump again threatening Iran with possible military action.  (Bloomberg)