Russia sent explosives, drone parts to Iran via secret route to rebuild arsenal

Russia, Iran, and China have been collaborating militarily under Iran's "Look East" strategy, with Russia reportedly supplying Iran with explosives, drone components, and ammunition. These shipments are believed to be intended for Iran's military reconstruction, following its war with the US and Israel. Satellite imagery suggests the transferred components also include those required for ballistic missile production.

The Caspian Sea, through which these shipments are routed, is bordered by Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, offering a secret route free from US naval monitoring. The recent Israeli strikes on an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea, which had been identified as part of the military supply route, may have prompted these transfers.

The Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics is gradually replacing domestically produced missile components with those manufactured in Russia and China. While the extent of Iran's military reconstruction remains unclear, Israeli intelligence was reportedly surprised by the speed at which Iran rebuilt some of its missile stock.