Wall Street Journal: Russia Seeking to Purchase Ballistic Missiles from the Islamic Republic

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, January 4, citing American officials, that Russia is planning to purchase short-range ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic. The publication described this action as a step to enhance Moscow's ability to target Ukraine's infrastructure at a critical moment in the war. According to the report, one American official stated, 'The concern of the United States is that Russia is actively negotiating to obtain short-range ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic.' 'Our assessment is that Russia intends to buy missile systems from Iran.' The Wall Street Journal noted that if an agreement is reached between the parties, the delivery of Iranian missiles to Russia could occur this spring, but American officials do not believe that the agreement has been finalized yet. Officials indicated that Russia has already begun the delivery of ballistic missile launchers and dozens of ballistic missiles from North Korea. The newspaper reported that the willingness of Moscow was observed when a Russian delegation visited a Revolutionary Guards training complex in mid-December with the aim of purchasing missiles from the Islamic Republic. This previously undisclosed visit followed the September meeting of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Aerospace Force headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. So far, Russia has purchased a large number of drones from the Islamic Republic to enhance its military capability to target critical infrastructure in Ukraine. Moscow and Tehran are also in the process of building a new factory for mass production of drones. According to the report, military analysts say that Moscow's acquisition of missiles from the Islamic Republic and North Korea could strengthen its military capability against Ukraine's air defenses. The Wall Street Journal stated that the United States is concerned that the increasing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran will not only aid its military capabilities in the war in Ukraine but will also enhance the military capabilities of the Islamic Republic in the Middle East and potentially generate revenue to bolster the economy of the Islamic Republic, which has been damaged under Western sanctions. American officials stated in November that Russia has assisted Tehran in developing its satellite program and that there is also 'unprecedented defense cooperation' in missile program development, military electronics, and air defense between Tehran and Moscow. Ukraine and Russia accused each other of carrying out attacks at the beginning of the new year. The U.S. and its allies called on the Security Council not to remain silent regarding North Korea's missile program. The U.S. expressed concern over Iran's space launch vehicle program, which has the potential to be converted into long-range missiles. Officials from the Islamic Republic claimed to have launched a biological capsule into space.