Iran responds for first time to rumors about sending ballistic missiles to Russia
Tehran commented on media reports about the transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia (photo: Getty Images)
The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations (UN) denies supplying its ballistic missiles to Russia. Information about Tehran's possible transfer of such weaponry to Moscow was recently published by the Western press, according to CNN.
The Iranian side has sent a statement to journalists stating that the country is not transferring its ballistic missiles to Russia, and such reports in the media are called unfounded.
“Although there are no prevailing international restrictions or prohibitions on the sale of ballistic missiles, Iran deems itself morally obligated to abstain from weapon transactions for the duration of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Tehran says.
The statement also indicates that this decision was made to refrain from contributing to the continuation of the war.
Rumors about Iran's possibility of transferring missiles to Russia
On February 21, the American publication Reuters, citing its sources, reported that Iran allegedly transferred ballistic missiles of the Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile type, including Zolfaghar missiles, to Russia.
According to three Iranian sources of Reuters, about 400 ballistic missiles capable of flying 700 kilometers were mentioned. The supply of missiles allegedly began in early January 2024.
Meanwhile, Andrii Chernyak, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, commented to RBC-Ukraine that the special services are verifying this information. At the same time, sources in the special services called the transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia unlikely.
The situation was also commented on in the US. White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby stated that the US cannot confirm the information about Iran transferring ballistic missiles to Russia.
An American official also noted that Washington had already warned about Russia's attempts to acquire ballistic missiles from Iran in exchange for enhanced military cooperation with Tehran.
It should be noted that Russia has long been trying to persuade Iran to transfer ballistic missiles to it, as reported in the media last year. This information emerged against the backdrop of active supplies of Iranian Shahed drones to Russian occupiers.
In January, the WSJ reported that negotiations between Russia and Iran regarding long-range missiles were actively progressing. Journalists suggested that the deliveries could start as early as spring. For more details, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
