US imposes sanctions on Iran for supplying missiles to Russia, escalating global tensions.
At a Glance
- US sanctions Iran for providing short-range ballistic missiles to Russia
- Iran allegedly trained Russian personnel to use Fath-360 missile system
- Britain, France, and Germany join US in imposing new sanctions
- Iran denies allegations, calling them “ugly propaganda and lies”
- Blinken warns of growing cooperation between Russia and Iran threatening European security
US Announces Sanctions on Iran
The United States has taken decisive action against Iran by imposing new sanctions in response to Tehran’s supply of missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement in London, highlighting the severity of the situation. The sanctions target individuals and entities involved in the transfer of Iranian drones and missiles to Russia, demonstrating the US commitment to curbing Iran’s military support for Russian aggression.
The US Treasury and State Department have sanctioned ten individuals and nine entities in Iran and Russia, including ships transporting missiles between the two countries and Iran Air for its role in Iran’s drone program. These measures aim to disrupt the supply chain and financial networks supporting the missile transfers.
Details of Iran’s Missile Support to Russia
According to US and British officials, Iran has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, specifically the Fath-360 system, which has a maximum range of 75 miles (120 kilometers). The Pentagon suggests that these shipments may not be a one-time deal, indicating a potentially ongoing supply relationship between Iran and Russia. Dozens of Russian military personnel have reportedly been trained in Iran to operate these missile systems.
“Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine, against Ukrainians,” Blinken said.
This development marks a significant escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The use of these ballistic missiles could potentially alter the dynamics of the conflict and pose new challenges for Ukrainian defense forces.
International Response and Implications
The US is not alone in its response to Iran’s actions. Britain, France, and Germany have also imposed new sanctions on Iran and Russia, citing the missile transfers as a threat to European security. These sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on Iran Air’s flights to the UK and Europe. The coordinated effort demonstrates a united Western front against the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran.
“Russia has received new deadly ballistic missiles from Iran for use in Ukraine and is likely to use them, the US secretary of state,” Antony Blinken, announced on Tuesday in London as he prepared to travel with the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, to Kyiv. This development and the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran threatens European security and demonstrates how Iran’s destabilising influence reaches far beyond the Middle East.”
Russia was also sharing technology with Iran, including on nuclear issues, he added. “We’ve warned Iran privately that taking this step would constitute a dramatic escalation. Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians.”
The situation has broader implications for global security. CIA Director William Burns has warned of the growing defense relationships between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. This network of cooperation among nations often at odds with Western interests raises concerns about the potential for increased military capabilities and technology sharing among these countries.
Iran’s Denial and Ongoing Tensions
Iran has vehemently denied the allegations of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, dismissed the claims as “wrong and misleading reports” and “ugly propaganda and lies.” Iran maintains that it does not support providing military assistance to parties engaged in the conflict, citing humanitarian concerns.
“Publishing wrong and misleading reports about transferring Iranian weapons to some countries is merely an ugly propaganda and lie aimed at hiding illegal massive size weaponry support by the U.S. and some Western nations for genocide in the Gaza Strip,” it quoted ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying.
Despite Iran’s denials, the US and its allies remain firm in their accusations and their commitment to countering what they perceive as a significant threat to regional and global stability. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely for any signs of further military cooperation between Iran and Russia, and the potential impact on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
