Following US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement in the UK that Iran had supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for the Ukraine war, Britain, France, and Germany announced new sanctions against Iran on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the United States and Britain formally accused Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, announcing plans to punish those involved. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London, stated that Iran had ignored warnings about the significant escalation the missile transfers represent.
Blinken warned that the missiles, now in Russia’s possession, are expected to be used against Ukraine within weeks, allowing Russia to target locations farther from the front line. In response, the U.S., Britain, and Germany issued a joint statement condemning the missile transfers as a direct threat to European security. They pledged to impose penalties on Iran, including canceling bilateral air services agreements and sanctions on individuals and entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program. They also plan to target Iran Air with sanctions.
Previously, economic sanctions had been imposed on individuals and companies linked to Iran’s drone program, despite Iranian denials of supplying drones to Russia.
The new sanctions coincide with Blinken and Lammy’s visit to Ukraine, where they will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s defenses. The visit, publicly announced as a show of support, is set against the backdrop of escalating conflict and Ukraine’s recent significant drone attacks on Russian territory.
As the U.S. and UK prepare for a meeting with Zelenskyy, President Joe Biden has been cautious about allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep into Russia, aiming to avoid further escalation. Blinken emphasized that any use of weapons must align with a strategic approach, with upcoming discussions expected to address Ukraine’s needs and objectives.
Iran has denied providing weapons to Russia, calling such actions inhumane and counterproductive to peace efforts.
The U.S. and its allies have repeatedly warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles to Russia. CIA Director William Burns, speaking in London alongside his British intelligence counterpart, highlighted the growing and concerning defense ties between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, which he said pose threats to Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East.
The White House has frequently released intelligence showing that North Korea has been supplying Russia with ammunition and missiles for its war against Ukraine. Iran, meanwhile, has provided Russia with attack drones and assisted in setting up a drone-manufacturing facility.
While China has not supplied weaponry to Russia, it has significantly increased exports of machine tools, microelectronics, and other technologies that Russia is using to produce missiles, tanks, and aircraft, according to U.S. officials.
