Iran transfers ballistic missiles to Russia, Ukraine and US react

Iran has transferred several hundred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing American and European officials. The publication’s sources believe this is just the first step, and Tehran will continue to increase its weapon supplies to the occupiers.

“The development comes as Russia has stepped up its missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, killing dozens of civilians in recent days,” the journalists write.

The US is concerned about the situation and “is working on a response,” sources said. “We have been warning of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and are alarmed by these reports. … Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” said National Security Council Spokesman Sean Savett.

Dozens of Russian military personnel are undergoing training in Iran on the use of Fath-360 short-range tactical missile systems, Reuters reports, citing sources. Iran has various types of ballistic weapons with a range of up to nearly 804 km.

Iran confirmed that it has supplied Russia with missiles. The statement was made by MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani a few hours after Iran’s mission to the UN denied the WSJ report, Iran International reports. Ardestani said Iran has to exchange resources to meet its needs. Thus, Tehran provides Moscow with missiles and drones in return for soybeans and wheat.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry once again urged Iran to refrain from supplying any weapons or military equipment to Russia, which, according to the UN Charter and international law, is an aggressor state.

“It is for more than two years now that Ukraine and Ukrainians have been suffering daily from Russian terrorist attacks with all types of lethal weapons, including drones of Iranian production. … We warn the official Tehran that if the fact of Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation is confirmed, it will have devastating consequences for Ukrainian-Iranian bilateral relations,” the ministry emphasized.

The ministry also called on the international community to increase pressure on Tehran and Moscow to protect international peace and security.