When the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was established in the late 1980’s, it was intended as a self-restraining political mechanism agreed to by Western states in order to avoid any competition in the sale of strategic systems to the Iran’s and Iraq’s of this world.
Russia also joined MTCR at a later stage, but now appears to be ignoring its constraints due to the Ukraine situation forcing Moscow to rely on military imports. This has been a great opportunity for Iran, which may have a weak Air Force but has an extensive array of missiles and drones.
Further adding to Iran’s good fortune is the imminent expiration of UN sanctions on its ballistic missile activity, which China and Russia were not willing to extend.
