Iran has reportedly asked Russia to supply S-400 surface-to-air missile systems as Tehran seeks to rebuild its air defenses following US and Israeli strikes. However, Moscow may reject the request because of its own military requirements, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph.

The newspaper reports that the proposed delivery of Russian air defense systems was discussed during a visit to Moscow by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

On November 5, Rezaei met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and delivered a personal message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

According to The Telegraph, Tehran wants to acquire S-400 systems to restore its air defense network, which suffered serious damage during American and Israeli attacks.

The newspaper identifies the ongoing war in Ukraine as the main obstacle to a potential agreement. Russian forces also require modern air defense systems, meaning Moscow may be unwilling to transfer S-400 batteries to Iran.

No official agreement on S-400 deliveries has been confirmed.

The Kremlin stated that Putin and Rezaei discussed bilateral cooperation, developments in the Persian Gulf and security issues in the Middle East. It did not announce any agreement concerning the supply of Russian air defense systems.