BELGIUM, Sept 11: The European Union said Monday its allies had shared “credible” intelligence that Iran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, a move Washington warned would be met with “significant consequences”.
The claim was rejected by Tehran but not explicitly denied by the Kremlin.
EU and US officials said that, if true, it would constitute a major “escalation” of Iran’s support for Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine.
US media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, citing anonymous sources.
“We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia,” EU spokesman Peter Stano said.
Stano added that “the EU leaders’ unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran”.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said during a weekly press conference: “We strongly reject the claims on Iran’s role in exporting arms to one side of the war.”
The West has been warning Tehran against sending Russia missiles for months, and the EU has already repeatedly hit Iran with sanctions for supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin did not issue a denial on Monday when asked specifically about the Wall Street Journal report that Iran had sent missiles.
“We have seen this report, it is not every time that this kind of information is true,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas.”
The United States had previously said any deliveries would invoke a “severe” response and damage Tehran’s efforts to improve relations with the West following the election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as president. – TVS
