Iran's Alleged Ballistic Missile Supply to Russia Raises Tensions: EU Responds
The European Union (EU) announced on Monday that credible intelligence shared by its allies indicates that Iran has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles. This claim has been vehemently rejected by Tehran, though the Kremlin has not explicitly denied it. U.S. media outlets reported last week that Washington suspects Iran transferred the weapons to Russia for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, citing anonymous sources.
EU spokesman Peter Stano stated, "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. We are looking further into it with our member states, and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." He emphasized that the EU leaders have a unanimous position: any confirmed deliveries would result in a swift and coordinated response, including significant restrictive measures against Iran.
In response, Iran's foreign ministry has strongly rejected the allegations. Spokesman Nasser Kanani asserted during a weekly press conference, "We strongly reject the claims on Iran's role in exporting arms to one side of the war." The accusations come after months of warnings by Western nations about Tehran potentially supplying missiles to Russia. The EU has previously imposed sanctions on Iran for providing drones to Moscow, which are being used in the conflict.
Although the Kremlin did not outright deny the report regarding the missile supply, spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented, "We have seen this report; it is not every time that this kind of information is true." He added, "Iran is our important partner, and we are developing our trade and economic relations in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas." This statement highlights the growing partnership between Russia and Iran as Moscow seeks to bolster its military capabilities amidst severe Western sanctions.
The U.S. has indicated that should missile deliveries occur, they would invoke a severe response, potentially jeopardizing Tehran's attempts to improve relations with the West following the election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as president.
As fighting continues in Ukraine, Moscow has reportedly turned to Iran and North Korea for supplies, as evidenced by Ukraine's claims of being attacked with Iranian-designed Shahed drones on an almost daily basis. Ukrainian forces have also discovered remnants of North Korean missiles on their territory.
The potential delivery of Iranian missiles coincides with an escalation in Russia's bombing campaigns against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, particularly as winter approaches. The situation remains tense, as both political and military ramifications unfold in the wake of these serious allegations.
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