Russian and British warplanes. Iran is rushing to purchase weapons systems in spite of sanctions. Photo: Wikipedia.

Iran is rushing to make weapons purchases prohibited by existing sanctions, the London-based pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Wednesday.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and UN Resolution 2231 maintain the arms embargo on Iran for another five years. Nonetheless, Israeli and American sources said that the Tehran regime is already moving to modernize its army’s outdated weaponry through a $21 billion arms acquisition.

They noted that Russia and France have expressed their willingness to fulfill Iran’s needs.

The sources said that Iran has turned to Russia to acquire several weapons systems for the different branches of its armed forces. The expected purchases include Sukhoi-30 fighter planes, T-90 battle tanks and Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles for its warships. Iran is also negotiating with Moscow to restart domestic production of the older T-72 tanks.

Tehran has also entered into talks with France for the sale of advanced Dassault Rafale jets, they said, according to the report.