The U.S. Expresses Concern Over Iran's 'Planning' to Deliver Ballistic Missiles to Russia

The United States has once again expressed concern over reports of the Islamic Republic of Iran's 'planning' to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, on Monday, August 22, expressed Washington's deep concern regarding this issue, stating, 'We continue to communicate with our European partners and allies about potential actions we may take.' He reminded that the United States has consistently warned about the expanding security partnership between Russia and the Iranian government since the onset of Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Deputy Spokesperson added, 'This partnership threatens European security and demonstrates how the destabilizing influence of the Iranian government extends beyond the Middle East and across the globe.' The White House also recently issued a statement following a Reuters report about the training of dozens of Russian military personnel in Iran for the use of the short-range ballistic missile system, Fateh-360, emphasizing that 'Iran's destabilizing influence has spread beyond the Middle East and throughout the world.' The White House stated that it could not confirm Reuters' report but added, 'The U.S. has repeatedly warned about deeper security cooperation between Russia and Iran since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This cooperation threatens European security and shows that Iran's destabilizing influence extends beyond the Middle East and across the globe.' The White House further stated, 'As we and our partners have clearly communicated at the G7 and NATO meetings this summer, we are prepared to respond swiftly if the Islamic Republic continues to transfer weapons to Russia.' According to the White House statement, 'Pejman, during his electoral campaign, claimed he wanted to moderate Iran's policies and engage with the world. Destabilizing actions like this contradict those claims.' According to Reuters, hundreds of these satellite-guided missiles are expected to be delivered to Russia soon for use in the Ukraine war. European intelligence sources told Reuters that representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract in Tehran on December 13 for the purchase of the Fateh-360 missile system and another missile system called Ababil. According to these sources, Russian personnel have traveled to Iran for training on how to operate the Fateh-360 defense system. This system fires missiles with a maximum range of 120 kilometers and a warhead weight of 150 kilograms. Iranian media have reported about this missile: 'Fateh 360 is a missile with a length of 5175 mm and a diameter of 368 mm, with a total weight of 787 kg, of which 150 kg is the warhead, and its composite solid fuel propellant gives it a speed of 4 times the speed of sound or 4 Mach.' Khabar Online has reported about this missile: 'This missile has a very good shelf life, estimated to be at least 10 years, and its error is less than 30 meters. Its minimum and maximum range are 30 and 120 kilometers, making it a worthy replacement for the Naze'at rockets and a serious competitor for the guided rocket family Fajr-5. This missile is equipped with bunker-buster warheads and a combined optical guidance system and can resist significantly in electronic warfare environments and destroy targets without disruption.' One news source told Reuters that 'the only possible next step' after training would be the actual delivery of these missiles to Russia. Moscow itself has ballistic missiles, but the provision of Fateh-360 missiles could allow Russia to use its arsenal for longer-range targets while utilizing Iranian warheads for shorter-range objectives. However, it should be noted that the Islamic Republic has provided thousands of 'Shahed 136' suicide drones to Moscow since the onset of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. Damoon Mohammadi: Influence in the Islamic Republic is not limited to Israel; Iran has become a playing card for Russia and China. Russia is training to buy and use Iranian ballistic missiles; the White House: Russia-Iran security cooperation threatens Europe. A senior Russian official's visit to Iran coincides with the likelihood of war expansion in the Middle East. Ukraine shot down 9 Shahed drones made by the Islamic Republic. The U.S. welcomes new EU sanctions against the Islamic Republic; we continue to counter Tehran's threats. New EU sanctions against 9 individuals and entities; the commander of the Quds Force and the Minister of Defense have been sanctioned.