US: We Will Respond to Iran's Delivery of Ballistic Missiles to Russia with 'Significant Consequences'

The US State Department states that the delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia by the Iranian government indicates a 'severe' increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Moscow's aggression against Ukraine. Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, emphasized on Monday, September 10, that the United States is prepared to respond to such actions with 'significant consequences.' In this context, a senior EU official previously told VOA that the Union is aware of 'credible information provided by our allies regarding the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia.' Peter Stano, the senior spokesperson for the EU's Foreign Affairs Commission, stated in a written response to VOA's Persian section that they are 'examining this [issue] further with member states' and that if the Iranian government's actions are confirmed, it would indicate a significant increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's 'aggressive and illegal war against Ukraine.' He added, 'The joint position of European leaders has always been clear. The EU will respond swiftly and in coordination with international allies.' The senior spokesperson also mentioned that 'new and significant restrictive measures against Iran' are among the actions being considered by the Union. Earlier, John South, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, also commented on Friday regarding recent reports of ballistic missile shipments from the Islamic Republic to Russia, stating that this action would have consequences for the Iranian government. In his comments sent to VOA on Friday, September 8, he wrote: 'We are aware of these concerning reports and consider this transfer indicative of an increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.' In this context, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, September 10, that it had summoned a senior Iranian diplomat, warning that if reports of ballistic missile shipments from the Iranian government to Russia are confirmed, there would be 'devastating and irreparable consequences' for bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, rejected these reports on Sunday, claiming that the Iranian government has 'never been part of this conflict and its military engagement.' Additionally, Fazlollah Nozari, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, also denied these reports, claiming that this is a 'type of psychological warfare.' The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, September 8, citing American and European officials, that the Iranian government has provided short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. According to the report, an American official confirmed that the missiles 'have ultimately been delivered' and that Western officials stated the shipment included hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles. The increasing cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Russia in recent years has prompted Western countries to impose several extensive sanction packages against individuals and entities involved in these collaborations.