Iran admits military aid to Russia amid official denials of missile transfer

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, acknowledged Iran’s military assistance to Russia less than a day after Iran’s mission to the UN refuted The Wall Street Journal's report about the transfer of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

"We have to barter for our needs, including importing soybeans and wheat. Part of the barter involves sending missiles, and another part involves sending military drones to Russia," the MP said in an interview with Didban Iran.

When asked if sending ballistic missiles to Russia could lead to further sanctions against Iran, he said, "It can't get any worse than it already is. We give missiles to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Hashd al-Shaabi, so why not to Russia?"

The Iranian MP stated that Tehran receives dollars for arms sales and bypasses sanctions through its partnership with Russia. In return, Iran imports soybeans, corn, and other goods from Russia. The MP compared Iran's cooperation with Russia to the assistance of NATO countries to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ministry of Defense again denies the supply of missiles to Russia.

Missile transfers to Russia

Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian authorities had sent a new batch of short-range missiles to Russia. Iran officially denies any missile transfers to Moscow.

Ukraine, in turn, has warned Iran of "devastating consequences" for bilateral relations if the missile transfers are confirmed.

It should be noted that Iran is one of the countries actively supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine by providing military aid. Specifically, in 2022, Iran supplied Russia with kamikaze drones, which the occupiers have used almost nightly to attack Ukrainians.