Russia has been secretly assisting Iran with the development of advanced supersonic cruise missiles since 2023, including technology intended to give Tehran the ability to threaten U.S. Navy aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The program, codenamed C430L, is aimed at developing a ramjet propulsion system that would allow Iranian missiles to travel at several times the speed of sound while flying at low altitude, giving Western air defenses significantly less time to detect and intercept them.

Leaked material obtained by the Financial Times showed that preparations for the agreement were underway before it was formally signed in November 2023, roughly one month after October 7. The transfer of such advanced missile technology would have required approval from the highest levels of Russia’s political leadership. The cooperation comes as Iran supports Russian drone development while Russia assists Tehran’s missile program.

The Russian assistance reportedly continued throughout the U.S.-Iran war in February and provided significant support to Iran during its attacks against Gulf states. “Russia is trying to broaden the Ukraine war and draw the US into different theatres,” Nicole Grajewski, a professor at Sciences Po University in Paris, said.

Iran has pursued ramjet technology for years. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was seen inspecting development sites in 2019, while Iranian media reported testing ramjet prototypes in August 2023.

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