The US believes that Iran sent ballistic missiles to Russia

They did not provide details on how many weapons were delivered or when the transfers might have taken place, but confirmed the finding by US intelligence. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that has not been publicly disclosed.

The White House declined to confirm the arms transfer but reiterated its concern that Iran is deepening its support for Russia. The White House has warned Iran for months not to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.

“Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation of Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and would result in the killing of more Ukrainian civilians,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said. , in a statement. “This partnership threatens European security and illustrates how Iran’s destabilizing influence reaches beyond the Middle East and around the world.”

The US discovery comes as the Kremlin tries to fend off Ukraine’s surprise offensive, which has resulted in the seizure of about 500 square miles (1,300 kilometers) of Russia’s Kursk region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pressing 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 it has done with previous US intelligence findings, has denied supplying Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine.

“Iran considers the provision of military assistance to the parties involved in the conflict – leading to increased human casualties, destruction of infrastructure and withdrawal from ceasefire negotiations – to be inhumane,” according to a statement from Iran’s mission to the UN. . “Thus, Iran not only refrains from engaging in such actions, but also calls on other countries to stop supplying weapons to the parties involved in the conflict.”

CIA Director William Burns, who was in London on Saturday for a joint appearance with his British intelligence counterpart, warned of the growing and “disturbing” defense relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, which said it threatens both Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East.

The White House has repeatedly declassified and made public intelligence findings showing that North Korea sent ammunition and missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, while Iran supplies Moscow with attack drones and helped the Kremlin build a drone manufacturing plant.

China has refrained from supplying the Russians with weapons, but has increased sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn uses to make missiles, tanks, planes and other weapons, according to US officials.

The White House has been adamant for months about a possible deal between Iran and Russia.

The Democratic administration said in January that US intelligence officials had determined that a Russian-Iranian deal had not been finalized, but officials were concerned that Russia’s negotiations to purchase missiles from Iran were moving forward.

Last September, according to the White House, Iran hosted a top Russian defense official to show off a range of ballistic missile systems, adding to US concerns that a deal could be reached.

The US and other countries have taken steps to thwart the supply, sale or transfer involving Iran and related ballistic missile items, including issuing guidance to private companies on Iran’s missile procurement practices to ensure that those companies do not support neglect Iran’s development efforts.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks at the White House on Friday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression” would be on their agenda.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the discovery by US intelligence services.

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