The United States and Britain formally accused Iran on Tuesday of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine, a significant escalation that has prompted calls for punitive measures against those involved. The announcement, made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a visit to London, signals a deepening of the already complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.
"Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine, against Ukrainians," Blinken stated. He emphasized that the influx of Iranian missiles allows Russia to extend its range of attacks, utilizing its arsenal more aggressively against targets further from the front lines. This development is particularly concerning as Ukraine braces for a potentially brutal winter, marked by intensified Russian assaults.
The accusations come as Blinken and Lammy prepare for a joint visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, where they will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials. The visit, which was unusually announced in advance, underscores the steadfast support from the U.S. and U.K. for Ukraine, especially as the country continues to push back against Russian advances, including a surprise offensive that has recaptured significant territory in Russia's Kursk region.
The revelation of Iranian missile transfers could further embolden Zelenskyy in his ongoing efforts to secure more advanced weaponry from Western allies. President Joe Biden has already permitted Ukraine to use U.S.-provided missiles for self-defense, even across the Russian border, but has largely restricted the range of these weapons to avoid escalating the conflict further. However, Ukraine has not hesitated to use its own arsenal to strike deep into Russian territory, exemplified by one of the largest drone attacks on Russian soil earlier this week, which targeted multiple regions, including Moscow.
The joint visit by Blinken and Lammy is set to be followed by a high-level meeting at the White House on Friday, where Biden will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders are expected to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine's defense, with the Iranian missile issue likely to dominate the agenda. Blinken hinted that the U.S. might reconsider its stance on allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, depending on the strategic objectives outlined by Ukrainian leadership during their upcoming discussions.
Reports of the missile transfers from Iran began to surface over the weekend, based on U.S. intelligence sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Lammy characterized the missile deliveries as part of a "troubling pattern" of escalating involvement by Iran in the conflict, describing the situation as a significant escalation that could have far-reaching consequences.
Iran has denied these allegations, with a statement from its mission to the United Nations declaring that the provision of military assistance to any party in the conflict, which increases human casualties and destruction, is inhumane. Tehran has consistently rejected claims that it has supplied weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, maintaining that it seeks to avoid contributing to the war's devastation.
The U.S. and its allies have long warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles to Russia. CIA Director William Burns, speaking in London over the weekend, expressed concern about the deepening defense relationships between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, which he described as a growing threat not only to Ukraine but also to Western interests in the Middle East.
The White House has frequently declassified intelligence to reveal the extent of military cooperation between Russia and its allies, including North Korea's shipments of ammunition and missiles to Moscow. Meanwhile, Iran has supplied Russia with attack drones and assisted in building a drone-manufacturing facility. While China has refrained from directly supplying weaponry, it has increased sales of critical technology that Russia uses to produce missiles, tanks, and other military hardware.
