The US Secretary of State said that Iran’s decision to supply short-range ballistic missiles to Russia and the Kremlin will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine.
Antony Blinkane spoke during a visit to the UK that the development was a threat to all of Europe. He also added that this initiative of Iran also showed how Iran’s “destabilising influence reaches far beyond the Middle East”.
Blinkane told a news conference that dozens of Russian military personnel have been trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system. The missile system has of maximum range of 75 miles.
He said that Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles. Russia will likely use these missiles within weeks in Ukraine against Ukranians.
He also added that Russia has an array of its ballistic missiles. However, the supply of Iranian ballistic missiles enables Russia to use more of its arsenals for targets that are further from the front line.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the supply of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia is a significant escalation. He also added that the UK was coordinating.
Whenever he was asked whether he would approve Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia, Mr David Lammy said that he would not comment on “operational issues”.
The US will announce further sanctions on Iran later on Tuesday. Mr. Blinken said that including further measures against Iran Air. He added that other countries were also expected to announce fresh action on Iran.
The Ukrainian President’s chief of staff said that imposing action on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Moscow was not enough.
The chief staff also added that the allies should allow Kyiv to carry out strikes deeper into Russia with Western weapons.
The official, Andriy Yermak said on the Telegraph that they also need permission to use Western weapons against the military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation.
The official also added that they need permission for deliveries of long-range missiles, and strengthening their air defences.
Mr Lammy and Mr Blinken expressed that they would be travelling together to Kyiv this week. Mr Lammy described this travel as the “first joint visit of this kind for well over a decade”.
Mr. Blinken said that Russia and Iran’s relationship was a “two-way street”. including Kremlin-sharing technology with Iran, nuclear issues, and space information.
The Spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanani, condemned the UK, Germany, and France for cancelling bilateral air service agreements and sanctioning of Iran Air.
Kanani said that this action by the three European countries continues the West’s hostile policy and economic terrorism against Iranian people. He also added that it would meet an appropriate and proportional response from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He added that as previously emphasized, any claims that Iran has sold Ballistic missiles to Moscow are baseless and false.
