US believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, AP sources say
WASHINGTON — The United States has told allies it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraineaccording to two insiders.
They did not provide details on how many weapons were delivered or when the transfers took place, but they confirmed the U.S. intelligence findings. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that has not been made public.
The White House declined to confirm the arms transfer but reiterated concerns that Iran is deepening its support for Russia. The White House is warning Iran for months not to send ballistic missiles to Russia.
“Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and result in the deaths of more Ukrainian citizens,” Sean Savett, spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement. “This partnership threatens European security and illustrates how Iran’s destabilizing influence extends beyond the Middle East and the world.”
The U.S. finding comes as the Kremlin tries to repel Ukraine’s surprise offensive that has captured about 500 square miles (1,300 kilometers) of Russia’s Kursk region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging allies to allow his country to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep inside Russia and hit sites from which Moscow launches airstrikes.
Iran, as with previous US intelligence findings, denies supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
“Iran considers the provision of military assistance to the parties involved in the conflict — which leads to increased human casualties, destruction of infrastructure and a detachment from ceasefire negotiations — as inhumane,” a statement from Iran’s mission to the United Nations said. “Iran therefore not only refrains from such actions, but also calls on other countries to stop supplying arms to the parties involved in the conflict.”
CIA Director William Burns, who was in London on Saturday for a joint operation with his British intelligence counterpart, warned of the growing and “disturbing” defense relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, which he said poses a threat to both Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East.
The White House has repeatedly released and published intelligence findings showing that North Korea has sent munitions and missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, while Iran has supplied Moscow with attack drones and helped the Kremlin build a factory to produce drones.
China has refrained from supplying weapons to the Russians, but has increased sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn uses to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weapons, U.S. officials said.
The White House has been tense for months about a possible deal between Iran and Russia.
The Democratic administration reported in January that U.S. intelligence agencies had determined that no deal had yet been reached between Russia and Iran. However, officials were concerned about the progress of Russia’s negotiations on the purchase of missiles from Iran.
According to the White House, Iran hosted a senior Russian defense official last September to demonstrate a range of ballistic missile systems, fueling U.S. concerns that a deal could be imminent.
The U.S. and other countries have taken measures to prevent the supply, sale, or transfer of Iran-related and ballistic missile products. For example, they have issued guidelines for private companies on Iran’s missile procurement practices to prevent these companies from inadvertently supporting Iran’s development efforts.
President Joe Biden is about to host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks at the White House on Friday. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said “continuing robust support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression” would be on their agenda.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the US intelligence agency’s findings.
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Associated Press journalists Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.