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In an October 28, 2024 press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed journalist Ali-Akbar Saadati's concerns about Iran's relations with Russia following the failure of Iran’s defense systems during Israel’s October 26 attack on Iranian military targets. Saadati criticized Russia for not supplying S-400 systems or Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, labeling the behavior as "dishonorable" and calling President Vladimir Putin an "aggressor." In response, Baghaei said that Iran relies on its own strength and bravery and sacrifices of its armed force for its security. He said that this is the secret behind the survival of any country, and he asserted that Iran has never purchased the means for its security elsewhere. The exchange was uploaded to Akharinkhabar.ir, an Iranian media website.
Ali-Akbar Saadati: "The Russians claim that they are our allies. They claim they want to sign a strategic agreement with us, and that they have stood by us all these years. Whenever they faced problems and disasters in Ukraine, and when they got further mired in the Ukraine war, they came running to us, asking for drones and cruise [missiles]. However, on the night of the Israeli attack, our army's defense systems were all alone. Utterly by themselves... Russia has not given us S-400 systems or Sukhoi-35 [fighter jets].
"What is the position of the foreign ministry in Dr. Pezeshkian's government regarding this obvious dishonorable behavior by the aggressor Russian President Vladimir Putin?"
[...]
Esmaeil Baghaei: "The Islamic Republic of Iran relies on its own strength. In the past 45 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has faced severe sanctions – not only economic sanctions, but also sanctions on armament. We are proud that in everything we have done, we relied on the bravery and sacrifices of our armed forces. I believe that this is the secret behind the survival of any country. We have never purchased the means for our security elsewhere. We certainly share resources with our allies and other countries that have good relations with us. Ultimately, what protects our people and provides our security is our reliance on our own capabilities."
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