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How is Iran preparing for war with USA? Middle East to witness Verba vs Black Hawks and Cobra V8 vs P-8 Poseidon face-offs?

Officials and diplomats across the Gulf and Europe say that Iran and the United States are rapidly sliding toward a military conflict by the end of the week as all of the possible diplomatic solutions are seemingly fading

By Bechu S Updated: February 23, 2026 12:50 IST
A 9K333 Verba MANPADS with a MOWGLI-2 night sight attachement | X

The conflict with Israel meant Iran's inventory needed resupply before Donald Trump made his move. Aid has arrived from Russia and, as per reports, the contents of the arrivals suggest Iran is planning to safeguard its skies more effectively by rebuilding a layered air defence system that is foolproof against low-altitude threats.

According to available information, these are the latest measures taken by Iran parallel to the talks with US to descalate the situation:

  • The Islamic Republic has reportedly deployed indigenously made Cobra V8 electronic warfare systems near Tehran and Bandar Abbas. The truck-based electronic attack platform is said to be Iran's response to the US Navy deploying P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance patrols, as the Cobra V8 is capable of obstructing signals gathered by the aircraft. Unveiled in 2023, these systems are said to have an operational range of 250 kilometres.

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  • Iran has acquired 500 Russian 9K333 Verba mobile air defence system launchers. These weapons are the Russian counterpart to the American Stinger mobile launcher units and can improve Tehran's short-range, low-altitude air defence capabilities. The Verba MANPADS have a six-kilometre engagement range and a 4.5-kilometre altitude ceiling.

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  • Five hundred Mowgli-2 night vision systems have reached Iranian shores as part of the Russian 9K333 Verba mobile air defence systems, Defence Security Asia said in a report. They are particularly designed for the detection of targets in night conditions, meaning the country is building an all-weather, low-visibility defence grid, the report said.
  • By ordering 2,500 "9M336" missiles, Iran is evidently replenishing its depleted arsenal. These surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) pose a challenge to attack helicopters, advanced drone penetration, and low-altitude cruise missiles alike. The 9M336 and Verba systems fell into the hands of NATO weapon experts following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, meaning the West has had enough time to study them. However, there is no doubt that these weapons provide some much-needed deterrence for the leadership in its greatest hour of need.

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Will Donald Trump stand down?

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media that "recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario."

The US has said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or the capacity to build them and that it cannot enrich uranium. Tehran has long insisted that any negotiations should only focus on its nuclear programme, and that it has not been enriching uranium since US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June.

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