Iran-Russia missile deal increased US’ tension, said – keeping a close watch

The US said on Friday that if Iran delivers ballistic missiles to Russia, it would be a major turning point in the Ukraine war. The statement came after recent reports of arms exchanges between Iran and Russia. Reuters reported in August that Russia was awaiting the delivery of hundreds of Fatah-360 short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.

Along with this, dozens of Russian army personnel were receiving training in these satellite-guided weapons in Iran, so that they could be used in the Ukraine war. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has now sent these short-range missiles to Russia. An unnamed US official has been quoted in this report.

White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savet said, “We have already warned about the deepening security cooperation between Russia and Iran and we are concerned about these reports. Any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran to Russia will be considered a symbol of increasing support to Iran in Russia’s war against Ukraine.” Another US official said that they are closely monitoring possible missile transfers between Iran and Russia.

These developments are coming to the fore when the US and European allies have warned Iran that if it provides such weapons to Russia, it could have serious consequences. Western countries have repeatedly expressed concern over the deepening ties between Iran and Russia in recent months.

Iran’s New York-based UN mission said on Friday that Tehran’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has not changed. “Iran believes that providing military support to the parties to the conflict, which increases the number of casualties, destroys infrastructure, and distances the negotiations for a ceasefire, is inhumane,” the mission said.

The mission also said that Iran not only refrains from such actions itself but also appeals to other countries to stop supplying arms to the parties involved in the conflict.