In a candid assessment, former Iranian nuclear negotiator and ambassador Seyed Hossein Mousavian says Russia’s reluctance to arm Iran with high-end military systems—while offering them to U.S. allies—should serve as a lesson for Tehran about the primacy of national interest in global diplomacy.

Strategic Realism over Sentiment

Mousavian noted that despite Iran facing decades of threats from nuclear-armed states like the United States and Israel—and ultimately being attacked—Moscow never supplied Tehran with Su-35 fighter jets or the S-400 air defense system.

By contrast, Russia offered:

• 117 Su-35M jets to India,
• Joint production of Su-57 stealth fighters with full technology transfer—despite India being a longstanding partner of the United States.

“This is not a criticism of Russia,” Mousavian wrote. “Moscow is simply acting according to its national interests.”

A Reality Check for Iran

Mousavian suggested that Russia would likely sell the same advanced platforms to other U.S. allies like Türkiye or Saudi Arabia if asked. The takeaway for Iran, he argues, is that strategic calculations override ideological alliances.

The statement reflects growing frustration in some Iranian political circles about Russia’s selective cooperation, even as Tehran and Moscow have grown closer over military coordination in Syria and defense cooperation under Western sanctions.

Understanding National Interests

Mousavian’s remarks come as Iran continues to navigate its place between rising eastern powers and ongoing isolation from the West. His tone signals a push for greater realism in Iranian foreign policy—accepting that even close partners prioritize pragmatism over loyalty in arms sales and security guarantees.