Iran Denies Allegations of Supplying Russia with Ballistic Missiles

Iran's Response to US Accusations

Iranian officials have vehemently denied US allegations that Iran has been supplying Russia with ballistic missiles. According to a senior Iranian diplomat, who spoke to Middle East Eye under the condition of anonymity, Russia has indeed requested military assistance from Iran since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022. However, he stated that Iranian officials at the highest levels have consistently refused these requests.

US Secretary of State's Claims

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently stated that Iran had sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, capable of significantly impacting the Ukraine war. Blinken also suggested that Russian military personnel had been in Iran for training on how to operate these weapons, reportedly Fath-360 missiles with a range of 30km to 120km. However, he did not provide any evidence to support these allegations.

Iranian Weapons in Ukraine

Iranian-made Shahed 136 “kamikaze” attack drones have been spotted on the Ukrainian battlefield. These drones are believed to have been supplied to Russia regularly throughout the conflict. However, the senior Iranian diplomat maintained that these drones were supplied before the war began.

Western Reaction

In response to the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles, the UK, France, and Germany have announced sanctions on Iran. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response. The senior Iranian diplomat called these accusations and reactions "misunderstandings" and expressed Iran's willingness to engage in dialogue to resolve the issues.

Iran's Official Stance

Iran’s foreign ministry has officially denied Blinken’s allegations, stating that it maintains a neutral stance on the Ukraine war. They believe that the recurring claims of missile transfers to Russia are politically motivated by certain western countries.

Impact on Iran-West Relations

This recent development has strained Iran's relations with the West, especially after the election of Masoud Pezeshkian, who promised to pursue better ties with western countries. A prominent Iranian foreign policy analyst believes that the West's approach to Iran has inadvertently strengthened the ties between Tehran and Moscow.

Western Media Claims

Western media outlets such as CNN and Sky News have reported that a Russian cargo ship brought about 220 Iranian Fath-360 ballistic missiles from the Iranian port of Amirabad. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Long-Term Implications

The analyst believes that this approach could backfire in the long term, as it serves Russia's interests by preventing any potential rapprochement between Iran and the West. The ongoing sanctions and accusations only push Tehran closer to Russia, cutting off any chance of meaningful dialogue on regional and nuclear issues.

Bottom Line

The allegations of Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles have stirred up significant controversy. The situation is further complicated by the lack of concrete evidence and the political implications of these claims. It raises questions about the effectiveness of the West's approach towards Iran and the potential long-term consequences of these actions. What are your thoughts on this matter? Please share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.