Iran is ready to transfer not only drones, but also surface-to-surface missiles to Russia for the war against Ukraine, according to the Western press.
It turns out that Iran is the only ally of Russia that is willing to transfer weapons to the aggressor for the war against Ukraine. Iranian drones are already haunting Ukrainian cities, but Tehran may also supply long-range missiles to the Russians. How will the world react?
Rockets from Iran
Tehran sent officials to Russia on September 18 to finalize terms for further arms shipments, including two types of Iranian surface-to-surface missiles, US officials said.
An intelligence assessment shared in recent days with Ukrainian and US officials says Iran’s arms industry is preparing the first batch of Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles, two known short-range Iranian ballistic missiles capable of striking on targets at a distance of 300 and 70 kilometers. If carried out, it would be the first delivery of such missiles to Russia since the beginning of the war.
In August, the same officials identified two types of Iranian Mohajer-6 and Shahed-136 drones that Tehran had begun supplying to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Officials said the missile delivery was planned
The Washington Post that Iran is also preparing new deliveries of unmanned aerial vehicles for Russia, including “dozens” of additional Mohajer-6s and more Shahed-136s.
Iranian tech consultants have visited Russian-controlled territories in recent weeks to provide instructions on how to operate the drones, officials said.
Western reaction
The United States wants to increase sanctions against Iran for aiding Russia in an all-out war in Ukraine after reports that Tehran plans to send missiles to Moscow for use on the battlefield, writes Politico , citing a US presidential administration official.
“We will absolutely impose sanctions on anyone who helps the Iranians help the Russians kill Ukrainians,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official added that the Joe Biden administration has released information about Iran’s arms sales to Russia in the past and made it clear that this would lead to sanctions.
He declined to talk about specific sanctions, but they are likely to include economic restrictions and export controls against third parties that help Tehran and Moscow.
The EU is gathering evidence of Russia’s use of Iranian drones and is ready to respond as soon as the process is complete, EU diplomat Josep Borrell said after a meeting of the EU foreign ministers’ council on Monday.
“The issue of the use of Russian drones, allegedly supplied by Iran in the war in Ukraine, was also considered by the ministers … We are closely monitoring the use of these drones. We are collecting evidence and will be ready to respond with the tools at our disposal. As I said, we continue to collect evidence ” Borrell said.
When asked what other evidence the EU needs to confirm that the drones are Iranian, he replied that the process of “gathering evidence” is taking place at the request of several member states.
“This process must be based on evidence. There is evidence. It was provided by the security services, especially the Ukrainian ones. Some members on the board called for the evidence to be collected in a coordinated and comprehensive way. The Iran categorically denies, including me personally, that any drones were sent for use in Ukraine. However, the Member States have asked us to collect all available evidence, and on this basis, the work is continues,” he added.
Borrell also added that in the event of evidence proving the use of Iranian drones by Russia, he does not see any obstacles that could slow down the EU’s response.
Iran denies everything
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani reiterated his categorical denial of any involvement in the supply of Russian drones, even though hundreds have been assembled in Ukraine.
“The published news that Iran has provided Russia with drones has political ambitions and is being spread by Western sources. We have not provided weapons to either side of the warring countries,” Kanaani said.
Global problems of Russia
Because of the sanctions, Russia’s defense industry is unlikely to produce modern munitions at the rate they have been used up, according to a British intelligence daily report. The report stated that on October 10, Russia fired more than 80 cruise missiles at Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said more than half were shot down, but dozens hit Kyiv and other locations, killing civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure.
“These strikes represent a further depletion of Russia’s stockpile of long-range missiles, which will likely limit their ability to hit the desired number of targets in the future,” the statement said.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.