Report: Iran Sends Hundreds of Missiles to Russia
At least 200 short-range ballistic missiles have been sent to Russia from Iran, according to United States and European officials, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Significance: Iran has been supplying Russia with drones, but they are slow and easy to shoot down. Ballistic missiles are faster and reach a higher altitude.
The recent development may open the way for long-range missiles to be sent to Russia. And officials are concerned about the imminent impact on the war in Ukraine.
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. We and our partners have made clear both at the G-7 and at the nato summits this summer that together we are prepared to deliver significant consequences. 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.
— Sean Savett, National Security Council spokesman
Denial: Iran denied the report on Friday, saying that “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.”
But within 48 hours, Iranian member of Parliament Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani admitted the report was accurate.
He told Iranian media, “We give missiles to Hezbollah, Hamas and Hashd al-Shaabi, so why not to Russia? Europeans sell arms to Ukraine. nato has entered Ukraine, so why shouldn’t we support our ally by sending missiles and drones to Russia?”
Another good reason for Iran to support Russia is that it receives soybeans, corn, wheat and other goods in return, allowing it to skirt U.S. sanctions.
Shifting power: People are concerned about the developing alliance between eastern powers, namely Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. Their aggressive policies threaten the established dominance of the West and point toward a prophesied period called the times of the Gentiles.
Learn more: Read “The Contest for World Domination.”