US 'alarmed' by reports of Iranian missile transfer to Russia

The US has expressed alarm over reports suggesting that Iran may have recently transferred missiles to Russia or is on the verge of doing so for use in Ukraine.

The White House, responding to news stories from Western outlets, emphasized concerns over the potential escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s military efforts.

According to The Wall Street Journal, unnamed US and European officials believe Iran has already provided ballistic missiles to Russia. Prior reports from Bloomberg and Reuters indicated that such a transfer was imminent.

When asked about the reports, White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett stated that any missile transfer from Iran to Russia would be a "dramatic escalation" in their military partnership. However, Savett did not confirm whether the transfer had already occurred.

Reports suggest that the Iranian missiles in question could be the Fath-360 and Ababil, both classified as close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) with a range of under 300 kilometers. These missiles could help Russia conserve its longer-range arsenal for further strikes against Ukraine.

The US and its allies have warned that any such transfer would result in significant consequences for Iran, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that they are prepared to respond alongside NATO and G7 partners. Western nations have been providing Ukraine with billions in military aid to counter Russia’s invasion, which began in 2022.

Iran has denied involvement in arming either side in the conflict. Its UN mission emphasized that Tehran abstains from providing military assistance to any parties engaged in the war.

Military experts have suggested that any missile transfer could be detected through various means, including satellite imagery, flight tracking, and monitoring ship movements.

However, they acknowledged that Iran and Russia may attempt to conceal such activities, making detection more challenging. The most concrete evidence of a transfer would likely come from remnants of Iranian missiles found on Ukrainian territory.

Experts also debated the West's potential response, noting the difficulty of interdicting such transfers without escalating into broader conflict. Instead, ramping up sanctions and export controls on Iran’s missile program or increasing support for Ukraine’s air defenses could be more feasible strategies.

The Biden administration announced new military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems, but has thus far restricted the use of US weapons for strikes within Russian territory.