The US has expressed concern over reports suggesting Iran may have recently transferred missiles to Russia or is on the verge of doing so for use in Ukraine.
The White House, responding to reports from Western media, highlighted concerns about possible escalation of Iran’s support for Russia’s military efforts.
According to the Wall Street Journal, unnamed US and European officials believe that Iran has already provided ballistic missiles to Russia. Earlier reports from Bloomberg and Reuters indicated that such a transfer was imminent.
When asked about the reports, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said any transfer of missiles from Iran to Russia would be a “dramatic escalation” in their military cooperation. However, Savet did not confirm whether the transfer had already taken place.
Reports indicate that the Iranian missiles in question could be the Fath-360 and Ababil, both classified as short-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) with ranges of less than 300 kilometers. These missiles could help Russia maintain its longer-range arsenal for further strikes against Ukraine.
The US and its allies have warned that any such transfer would have significant consequences for Iran, and Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken noted that they are ready to respond with NATO and G7 partners. Western countries are providing Ukraine with billions in military aid to counter the Russian invasion, which began in 2022.
Iran has denied involvement in arming either side in the conflict. Its UN mission stressed that Tehran refrains from providing military aid to any parties involved in the war.
Military experts have suggested that any missile transport could be detected by various means, including satellite imagery, flight tracking and monitoring of ship movements.
However, they acknowledged that Iran and Russia might attempt to hide such activities, making detection more difficult. The most concrete evidence of a transfer will likely come from remnants of Iranian missiles found on Ukrainian soil.
Experts also discussed the likely reaction of the West, noting the difficulty of banning such transfers without escalating into a wider conflict. Instead, strengthening sanctions and export controls on Iran’s missile program or increasing support for Ukraine’s air defenses could be more feasible strategies.
The Biden administration has announced new military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems, but has so far limited the use of US weapons for strikes inside Russian territory.
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