Delivery of Hundreds of Iranian 'Fateh 360' Missiles to Russia; U.S.: A 'Highly Destabilizing' Development

Robert Wood, the U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations, stated on Friday during a Security Council meeting that Russia has received its first shipment of hundreds of Iranian-made ballistic missiles this month. He noted that Iran and Russia signed a military contract for the supply of Iranian missiles late last year, and this summer, Iranian personnel trained Russian military personnel on the use of the short-range 'Fateh 360' missiles. He further mentioned that the missiles delivered to Russia have a maximum range of 75 miles, allowing Russia to conserve its long-range missiles for attacks on more distant targets in Ukraine, expand its arsenal, and be capable of destroying much of Ukraine's infrastructure as winter approaches. Robert Wood described this action by the Islamic Republic as a 'highly destabilizing' development that would add to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. The U.S. Deputy Representative reminded that over the past two and a half years, the Islamic Republic has provided thousands of drones to Russia, which Putin's forces have used to attack Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. He warned that the partnership between Russia and Iran poses a threat not only to Ukraine and the European Union but also directly facilitates the destabilizing activities of the Islamic Republic in the Middle East and around the world. Wood added that in response to Iran's military support for Russia, the U.S. State Department and Treasury have sanctioned 10 individuals and six entities based in Iran and Russia, and declared four ships used in the delivery of weapons components and systems, including drones and missiles to Russia, as blocked assets. Regarding military relations between North Korea and Russia, he stated that since the beginning of Putin's invasion of its western neighbor, Pyongyang has sent 18,000 containers of military ammunition to Russia in violation of Security Council resolutions. In this context, the European Union condemned Iran's actions, stating that its response would be 'swift' and in coordination with international partners, including 'new and major' restrictive measures such as sanctions on 'individuals and entities involved in the Islamic Republic's missile and drone programs.'