Russia supplies Iran with TNT and drone components via the Caspian Sea
NBC reports that the "backdoor smuggling route" between Russia and Iran in the Caspian Sea continues to be a vital lifeline for the Iranian regime. Moscow is transporting not only drone components but also ammunition, including TNT, allowing Tehran to rebuild its arsenal. Amid Iranian threats against the U.S., a ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in at least one casualty.
Russia continues to transfer shipments of ammunition, including explosives such as TNT, as well as drone components to Iran via a protected and isolated shipping route in the Caspian Sea. This was reported last night by the American network NBC, citing a document from a European government verified by a Western official.
The continuation of these shipments indicates a deepening strategic alliance between Tehran and Moscow as both nations remain entangled in separate conflicts against a common enemy: the USA. Previously, the New York Times revealed that this route is used by Russia to transfer components allowing Iran to restore its drone stockpile, 60% of which was reportedly destroyed in the last war with the USA and Israel.
According to the NBC report, the scope of these shipments has expanded to include critical ammunition for Iran, which is reportedly preparing for a future direct confrontation with the USA or Israel. Just last night, an Iranian official threatened that the USA has "weeks" to accept Iran's conditions and "renew" the June memorandum, warning that Tehran intends to shift to a "completely offensive" policy.
This morning, a report emerged regarding another attack on a ship crossing the Strait of Hormuz. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), "unidentified ammunition" struck a vessel, causing damage to the engine room and resulting in at least one casualty. The remaining crew is receiving assistance from the Omani Coast Guard. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared this morning that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the USA meets Tehran's interpretation of the memorandum's conditions.
The Caspian Sea route, dubbed the "Caspian Express," serves as a strategic artery because the USA has no presence in the region. Ships typically disable their tracking transmitters to avoid detection. While the route was initially used to transfer Iranian drones to Russia, it has now become a two-way supply chain. In March, Israel bombed the Iranian Navy headquarters in the port of Bandar Anzali to disrupt this traffic. Experts are now urging the Trump administration to leverage its influence on Azerbaijan to help disrupt this logistical backbone of the Russia-Iran alliance.
