“For half a century, ACA has been providing the world … with advocacy, analysis, and awareness on some of the most critical topics of international peace and security, including on how to achieve our common, shared goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.”
Iran Said to Ship Missiles to Russia
October 2024
By Kelsey Davenport
The United States accused Iran of sending ballistic missiles to Russia, an accusation Iran denied.
Iran reached an agreement with Russia to transfer hundreds of missiles in 2023, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, but the Sept. 10 announcement was the first time that the United States confirmed that Iran shipped any missile systems to Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Sept. 10 press conference in London that the United States had warned Iran publicly and privately that transferring the missiles would be a “dramatic escalation.” Blinken said that Russia is likely to use the weapons within the next several weeks.
Iran called the accusation “a vile propaganda ploy” and said that the United States is disseminating “misleading information.”
Iran was prohibited from transferring missiles and related technologies under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and modified UN sanctions on Iran. The missile restrictions expired in October 2023. Prior to the expiration, Iran transferred drones to Russia in violation of the UN restrictions. Iran admitted to exporting some drones, but denied it was a violation of Resolution 2231.
The United States and European countries responded to the missile transfer by announcing additional sanctions against Iran, including against Iran Air.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom said in a Sept. 10 statement that the transfer of missiles is “a direct threat to European security.” The move is “further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and will see Iranian missiles reaching European soil,” the statement said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Tehran and Moscow are cooperating in “sensitive” areas, but did not confirm or deny the transfer of missiles.
Blinken said the missile involved was the Fath-360, which has a range of 75 miles. He said Russian military personnel were trained in Iran to use that system and suggested that Russia will use the Iranian systems for “closer-range targets.”
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Iran benefits militarily from the security relationship with Russia. The two countries share technology and tactics, he said.