Al-Monitor | Jack Detsch: Iran is likely to seek out Russia and China to purchase advanced weapons systems such as tanks and fighter jets when a United Nations arms embargo against the country expires next year, a senior defense intelligence official said today, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.


In a report released on Tuesday that unveils the Defense Department�s public assessment of Iran�s military capabilities, the Pentagon�s top intelligence agency expressed concern that �modern conventional capabilities� will be available to Tehran when the UN embargo expires in 2020, allowing the country to become �a more traditional military force.


�We see Iran�s goal here as trying to deter attacks on Iran,� the official said at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday. �With the embargo ending, we expect them to go after [fighter jets]���their current air force is dated���and also main battle tanks.�



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