White House responded to potential transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia
The White House responded to the potential transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia (photo: Getty Images)
The administration of US President Joe Biden has stated that a potential transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would signify a dramatic escalation in Tehran's support for the Kremlin's military aggression against Ukraine, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.
A US official noted that the US has been warning about the deepening defense partnership between Russia and Iran since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is concerned by these reports.
This statement from the White House came in response to Western media reports about the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles from Tehran to Moscow.
"Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," Savett emphasized.
Another US official told Reuters that Washington is closely monitoring potential missile movements between Iran and Russia.
These potential actions follow warnings from the US and its partners, including in Europe, that such moves by Iran could have consequences.
Tehran denies the transfer of missiles
Meanwhile, last Friday, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York reaffirmed that Tehran’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine remains unchanged.
"Iran considers the provision of military assistance to the parties engaged in the conflict - which leads to increased human casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and a distancing from ceasefire negotiations - to be inhumane," the statement from Iranian diplomats read.
Issue of a potential transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia
Earlier in August, Reuters reported that Iran might soon transfer short-range ballistic missiles, specifically the Fath 360, to Russia. According to Western media, Moscow could receive several hundred of these missiles.
It has also been revealed that Iran has increased its production of ballistic missiles and drones following a cooperation agreement with Russia.
Additionally, on September 6, Sky News reported that Russia might soon receive a batch of two types of ballistic missiles.
Later that day, The Wall Street Journal published a report indicating that Iran had delivered a batch of ballistic missiles to Russia, likely short-range.
For more details on the potential dangers of the Fath-360 missiles and how Russia might use them, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
