Washington expresses deep concern over reports of Iranian ballistic missile shipments to Moscow.
The United States has voiced serious alarm following reports that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited an unnamed US official, the delivery is part of an emerging arms transfer between Tehran and Moscow, further complicating an already tense geopolitical landscape.
US officials, speaking to WSJ Europe, confirmed that both the US and Europe are now “working on a sanctions response to Iran’s move.” The transfer of ballistic missiles has heightened concerns in Washington over the growing security ties between Russia and Iran.
“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,” said Sean Savett, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, as reported by Reuters. Despite the warnings, no immediate sanctions or punitive measures have been announced by the Biden administration.
Details of the Missile Transfer
The missiles involved are believed to be Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, which have a range of up to 120 kilometers and are capable of carrying a 150-kilogram warhead. This type of missile, while limited in range, poses a significant threat to Ukrainian forces given its ability to deliver substantial firepower.
Reuters had earlier reported that Russia was expecting hundreds of these Iranian-made missiles, with Russian military personnel already undergoing training in Iran to operate them. The missiles could serve to bolster Russia’s arsenal as the war in Ukraine grinds on, particularly as Russian forces face a dwindling supply of advanced weapons.
Iran’s Denials and Washington’s Constraints
Despite mounting evidence of arms transfers, Iran has repeatedly denied providing any military assistance to Russia. Tehran maintains that its military support to Moscow is limited to defensive equipment, and it has rebuffed claims of transferring offensive weapons like ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, the US continues to impose limitations on Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range weapons. Washington has refrained from providing long-range air-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets, a decision that is seen as an attempt to avoid provoking further escalation with Russia. However, the continued flow of advanced weapons from Iran to Russia could prompt a reassessment of these restrictions.
Growing Russia-Iran Partnership
The deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly in military and intelligence matters, has been a growing source of concern for the West. The US and its allies have warned that this partnership could tip the balance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, potentially extending the war’s duration and intensifying its impact.
As the world watches these developments, the Biden administration and European governments are now faced with the challenge of crafting an appropriate response to the Iranian missile transfer. Additional sanctions against both Iran and Russia are reportedly on the table, though the specifics of these measures remain unclear.
For now, Washington’s alarm over the missile transfer underscores the increasingly complex and dangerous nature of the conflict, as global powers become more deeply entangled in the war’s far-reaching consequences.