The United States and Europe have accused Iran of transferring close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for the first time, resulting in fresh sanctions against Tehran. This alleged transfer, denied by Iran, has raised concerns due to the timing coinciding with the new Iranian president’s efforts to seek sanctions relief.
During a press briefing on September 9th, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder confirmed Iran’s transfer of Fath-360 missiles to Russia. The foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany condemned this action, leading to additional sanctions on Iran’s national airline.
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, aims for improved foreign relations and sanctions relief, yet the missile transfer to Russia raises doubts about his effectiveness. While Iran denies the transfer, Ukraine reported significant missile attacks with Iranian-made munitions.
This military partnership between Iran and Russia may outweigh relations with Europe, impacting Iran’s access to Russian weaponry. Concerns about nuclear secrets sharing between Russia and Iran have further complicated the situation, while Iran remains cautious about violating missile limits.
As Iran strategically navigates its relationships, questions arise about the true motives behind these missile transfers and the implications for Middle East security.
Paul Iddon, a freelance journalist based in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, covers Middle East affairs. Follow him on Twitter: @pauliddon