Iran's Ballistic Missile Transfer to Russia; EU: 'Direct Threat' Against Us; New Actions Against the Islamic Republic Ahead

Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, strongly condemned the transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia in a statement on Friday, September 23. In Borrell's statement, released by the EU, this action by the Islamic Republic of Iran was described as a 'direct threat' to Europe's security and indicative of a significant increase in the provision of Iranian drones and other military munitions to Russia, which, according to Borrell, are being used in the illegal and aggressive war against Ukraine. He referred to recent missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine, including energy infrastructure, and Moscow's efforts to maximize civilian casualties and create widespread destruction, adding: 'Now, Iranian ballistic missiles can be used to inflict more suffering and devastation in Ukraine.' The senior European diplomat further noted the EU's longstanding position regarding Iran's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, reminding that 'the EU has repeatedly warned Iran against the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.' He concluded his statement by asserting that the EU's response would be 'swift' and in coordination with international partners, including 'new and significant' restrictive measures, such as sanctions against 'individuals and entities involved in the Islamic Republic's missile and drone programs,' and that they are also considering restrictive measures in Iran's aviation sector. Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Friday, citing a diplomatic source, that the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Paris was summoned on Thursday regarding the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. Earlier, the British Foreign Office also summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in London in protest against the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in recent days that Russia has received ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran and is likely to use them in its war against Ukraine within weeks. The Iranian government has denied this claim. Following the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, four countries— the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and France— imposed new sanctions on Tuesday, September 20, against individuals and entities involved in this operation. These four countries sanctioned key individuals and entities involved in the Islamic Republic's military support for Russia, including Iran Air. The U.K., Germany, and France also canceled bilateral agreements with Iran regarding air services. In a joint statement, these three European countries described the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia as a sign of 'increased military support from the Islamic Republic for Russia's aggression against Ukraine' and deemed it an action aimed at 'targeting European territory with Iranian missiles and exacerbating the suffering of the Ukrainian people.' The U.S. Treasury also announced sanctions against 20 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in the transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia. The increasing cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia in recent years has prompted Western countries to impose several extensive sanction packages against Iranian individuals and entities involved in these collaborations. The strong reactions to the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia continue as Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, accused the U.S. and Europe on Wednesday via the social media platform 'X' of acting 'based on false information and flawed logic,' claiming that Iran has not sent ballistic missiles to Russia. This claim was made despite Ahmad Bakhshaei-Ardestani, a member of the National Security Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stating on September 8 in an interview with the 'Iran Monitor' website regarding military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow: 'Iran exports drones and missiles to Russia as part of its economic and political cooperation. In return, the Russians cooperate with Iran to circumvent sanctions. We import many of our goods from Iran through Russia.' He elaborated on the nature of Iran and Russia's cooperation, stating: 'We need to barter for our needs, including soybean and wheat imports. One part of the barter includes sending missiles, and the other part involves sending military drones to Russia.' In response to the question of whether the news of Iran's ballistic missile transfer to Russia could lead to more sanctions and the potential activation of the trigger mechanism, he stated: 'There is no color darker than black. We give missiles to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Hashd al-Shaabi, so why not to Russia?' This admission by the parliament member regarding the Islamic Republic's military assistance to its proxy groups comes at a time when military and political officials of the Iranian government have repeatedly denied military assistance to these groups. The Islamic Republic reacted to the new sanctions by summoning the heads of European political representations in Iran. Blinken praised Warsaw's role in supporting Ukraine; Poland stated that the 'Tehran butcher's' policy continues during the presidency of Medvedev. A Russian ship suspected of carrying Iranian-made ballistic missiles was seen in a port in the Caspian Sea. U.S. and British foreign ministers in Kyiv: Putin has intensified the war by receiving missiles from the Islamic Republic. London's protest against the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia led to the summoning of the Iranian chargé d'affaires by the British Foreign Office. U.S. and British foreign ministers entered Kyiv to reaffirm their support for Ukraine. The U.S. Secretary of State stated that the transfer of missiles to Russia during Medvedev's presidency contradicts his claims of improving Iran's economy. Ukraine has not ruled out severing ties with the Islamic Republic over the missile transfer to Russia. The U.S. stated it would respond to the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia with 'significant consequences.' The EU stated that the transfer of ballistic missiles signifies a significant increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Kyiv warned Tehran that the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would have 'devastating consequences,' and the Iranian chargé d'affaires was summoned in Ukraine. Kyiv expressed concern over the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, stating it threatens Ukraine, Europe, and the Middle East.