The United States has informed allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, though specific details on the number of weapons or the timing of transfers are unclear. The White House has not confirmed the transfer but expressed concern over Iran’s increasing support for Russia, warning that such actions could escalate the conflict and result in more civilian casualties in Ukraine. Iran denies supplying weapons, while U.S. intelligence has also indicated North Korea and China are aiding Russia in different capacities. This development comes as Ukraine’s counteroffensive progresses, and President Biden plans to discuss the issue with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer next week.
Quick Read
- The U.S. believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.
- Specific details about the number of missiles or timing of the transfers are not yet confirmed.
- The White House has expressed concern, stating that this would escalate Iran’s support for Russia and increase civilian casualties in Ukraine.
- Iran denies supplying weapons to Russia for the conflict, calling such actions inhumane.
- U.S. intelligence also indicates North Korea and China are aiding Russia in different capacities, including ammunition and technology supplies.
- The White House has been warning about potential weapons deals between Russia and Iran for months.
- President Biden is set to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer next week to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.
US: Iran transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for Ukraine war
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
The United States has informed its allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to aid its efforts in the war in Ukraine, according to two sources familiar with the matter. While details such as the number of missiles delivered and the timing of the transfers remain unclear, U.S. intelligence has made the assessment. The individuals, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, confirmed the findings.
The White House declined to confirm the transfer of missiles but reiterated concerns over Iran’s growing military support for Russia. “Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would be a significant escalation of Iran’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and could result in more Ukrainian civilian casualties,” said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett. He added that the partnership between Iran and Russia poses a threat to European security and demonstrates Iran’s destabilizing global influence.
This intelligence comes as Russia attempts to fend off Ukraine’s surprise counteroffensive, which has led to Ukraine seizing about 500 square miles (1,300 kilometers) of Russia’s Kursk region. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging Western allies to allow Ukraine to use advanced Western-supplied missiles to target Russian sites used for launching aerial attacks. Iran, as in the past, denied the claims of weapon transfers to Russia for use in Ukraine. “Iran considers supplying military assistance to parties in the conflict — resulting in human casualties and infrastructure destruction — as inhumane,” read a statement from Iran’s UN mission. It added that Iran urges other countries to stop supplying weapons to any side involved in the war.
CIA Director William Burns, speaking in London alongside British intelligence officials, expressed concerns about the growing military cooperation between Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, which he said poses a threat to both Ukraine and Western interests in the Middle East. In recent months, U.S. intelligence has also reported that North Korea has sent ammunition and missiles to Russia, while Iran has provided attack drones and helped Russia establish a drone-manufacturing facility. China, while not supplying direct weaponry, has increased sales of technology and equipment that Russia is using for military production.
The Biden administration has been on alert about a potential arms deal between Iran and Russia since last year. While U.S. officials indicated earlier this year that such a deal hadn’t been completed, they warned that negotiations were moving forward. The U.S. and its allies have been taking measures to block the transfer of missile-related technology to Iran, including issuing warnings to private companies to avoid inadvertently supporting Iran’s missile development.
President Joe Biden is set to discuss continued support for Ukraine with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a White House meeting next week. The transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia is likely to be on their agenda. The Wall Street Journal first reported the U.S. intelligence findings.
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