On Friday, the United States expressed concern that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would significantly escalate the conflict in Ukraine. This statement followed reports suggesting that the two nations have recently intensified their collaboration with such a weapons transfer.
In August, it was reported that Russia anticipated receiving hundreds of Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles from Iran and that several Russian military personnel were being trained in Iran on these satellite-guided weapons for future deployment in Ukraine.
Short-range missiles have already been delivered to Russia by Iran, as reported by an unnamed U.S. official.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett stated, “We have been warning about the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, and we are alarmed by these reports.”
Savett added, “Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.”
Iran’s Ballistic Missiles (Photo: Handout)
Another U.S. official indicated that they are closely monitoring the potential missile transfers between Iran and Russia.
This potential development follows warnings from the United States and its European allies that such a move by Iran could lead to repercussions. Western nations have been increasingly concerned about the strengthening ties between Iran and Russia in recent months.
In response, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York stated on Friday that Tehran’s stance on the Ukraine conflict remains unchanged.
“Iran views the provision of military assistance to conflict parties, which results in increased human casualties, infrastructure destruction, and a hindrance to ceasefire negotiations, as inhumane,” the mission said.
“Iran not only refrains from engaging in such actions itself but also urges other countries to halt the supply of weapons to the conflicting sides,” the mission added.
