Iran threatens to attack Israel with weapons 'never used' before as it receives Russian support

Iran is threatening to deploy never-used-before weaponry in response to a potential Israeli counter-strike, as the Islamic Republic receives support from Russia.

"We are prepared to use a weapon that we have never used," Abolfazl Amouei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, said, Iran International reported. He urged Israel to "act wisely."

After launching more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend, Iran warned that it would launch another attack if Israel responded to its assault. However, Israel's war cabinet, formed days after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has expressed that it is determined to respond.

Russia justified Iran's attack as "self-defense" after Iran blamed Israel for airstrikes in Syria earlier this month that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi. Israel has not claimed responsibility.

Moscow has been deepening ties with Tehran over the past several years, which was highlighted Tuesday during Russian President Vladimir Putin's conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. While Putin expressed a desire for all parties in the Middle East to show restraint, according to a summary of the call published by the Kremlin, the two parties agreed to increase "bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the implementation of mutually beneficial infrastructure projects," as translated. The types of infrastructure were not elaborated on.

Iran already reportedly helped Moscow by supplying thousands of drones and missiles to use in Russia's war in Ukraine. The Kremlin also agreed to provide Iran with advanced fighter jets and air defense technology, according to a report by The Washington Post. 

"It’s no longer the patron-client dynamic, where Russia holds all the leverage,” said Hanna Notte, an expert at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. "The Iranians are accruing benefits from this change. The nature of their relationship has gone beyond just getting things. There’s knowledge transfer, there’s intangible gains."

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