US sees potential Iran transfer of missiles to Russia as alarming
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Short-range missiles have been delivered to Russia by Iran.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - Any Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would mark a sharp escalation in the Ukraine war, the US said on Sept 6, following reports that the two countries had deepened ties in recent weeks with such an arms transfer.
Reuters reported in August that Russia was expecting the imminent delivery of hundreds of Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles from Iran,
Short-range missiles have now been delivered to Russia by Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sept 6, citing an unnamed US official.
“We have been warning of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and are alarmed by these reports,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.
“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.”
Another US official told Reuters it was watching the potential Iranian-Russian missile transfers closely.
The potential moves come after the US and its partners, including in Europe, warned that such a step by Iran could meet consequences. The Western countries have been watching Iran and Russia’s deepening ties in recent months with increasing concern.
Iran’s mission to the UN in New York said on Sept 6 that Tehran’s position on the Ukraine conflict was 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,” it said.
“Thus, not only does Iran abstain from engaging in such actions itself, but it also calls upon other countries to cease the supply of weapons to the sides involved in the conflict.” REUTERS
