US ‘won’t rule out’ letting Ukraine fire foreign-made missiles deep into Russia – as David Lammy and Anthony Blinken meet for talks in London amid pressure to let Kyiv use Western weapons

President Joe Biden has not ruled out allowing Ukraine to fire foreign missiles deep into Russia, the US said last night.

According to The Times, British sources said the US could authorise the use of long-range cruise missiles “within weeks”.

The US move came as David Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in London amid pressure to allow Kiev to use Western weapons.

Asked about the West’s position on missiles, Mr Blinken said: ‘We never rule it out. But if we do decide, we want to make sure it’s done in a way that can contribute to what the Ukrainians are trying to achieve.’

Mr Lammy will make a rare joint trip to Ukraine with his US counterpart this week. The Foreign Secretary will travel to the war-torn country on a “hugely important” visit to hear what is needed on the ground.

The talks between the two men at the Foreign Ministry followed one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian mainland so far in the conflict.

Kremlin officials claimed they intercepted 144 Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow and other major cities.

One woman was apparently killed and three people were injured when residential buildings caught fire. Another 43 people were evacuated.

During the joint trip to Ukraine, Mr Lammy and Mr Blinken will heed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for permission to use Western long-range weapons – such as Storm Shadow missiles – to strike targets in Russia.

Mr Lammy declined to comment on the subject yesterday, saying it would be “completely wrong to comment on the details of operational issues”.

During a press conference with Mr Blinken, he said comments could benefit Vladimir Putin.

Mr Blinken said one of the “purposes” of the trip to Kyiv would be to hear from Mr Zelensky “about … what we can do to support the situation”. [the country’s] needs’.

Following yesterday’s drone attack in Russia, flights to and from Moscow airports were suspended.

Although no strategically valuable targets were hit, the Ukrainian airstrike provided further evidence of the country’s ability to strike deep inside Russia.

Ukraine has been clear about its motivation for bringing the war to the Russian people.

Iran faces sanctions from YUK, US over supply of ballistic missiles to Russia

by Harriet Line and Natalie Lisbona in Tel Aviv

Iran was yesterday imposed sanctions by the United Kingdom and the United States after the two countries formally accused Tehran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

The British government has announced that it will terminate its aviation agreement with Iran, limiting Iran Air’s ability to fly to the UK and Europe.

And sanctions are being imposed on a number of individuals and organizations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support for Russia.

At a joint press conference in London, Foreign Minister David Lammy and his US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said Iran was ignoring warnings that the transfer of such weapons would lead to a serious escalation of the conflict.

Mr Lammy warned last night that Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Russia was “a significant and dangerous escalation”.

“We have made it clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would be met with a significant response,” he said.

Iran, as with previous US intelligence findings, denies supplying Russia with weapons for the war in Ukraine.

This came after Israel’s defense minister warned that Iran is “close” to acquiring nuclear weapons after the radical regime’s program has continued unchecked for years.

Yoav Gallant spoke as his country prepares for a retaliatory strike following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

He also criticised Britain’s partial arms embargo – imposed days after the execution of six Israeli hostages – calling it “not positive”.

Iran said only a ceasefire could delay the counterattack after the attack on Haniyeh in July.

But fears are growing as Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have yet to reach a compromise.

Mr Gallant issued a stern rebuke to Tehran on Monday, warning: “We have the capability to achieve any strategic objective in Iran.”

But he warned that their capabilities could soon go nuclear and have an even more terrifying potential than the hundreds of missiles and drones they fired at Israel in April.

“Iran is behind the chaos,” he said. “Iran is creating a war of attrition against Israel to gain time and space to acquire nuclear capabilities — and they are close.”