Iranian ballistic missiles are displayed during the ceremony of joining the Armed Forces, in Tehran, Iran, August 22, 2023. Iran’s Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/ File Photo
Iran has reportedly supplied Russia with a significant quantity of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, according to information from six separate sources disclosed to Reuters. The delivery is said to encompass approximately 400 missiles, including variants from the Fateh-110 series, such as the Zolfaghar. These missiles, categorized as road-mobile weaponry, possess the capability to target distances ranging from 300 to 700 kilometers (186 to 435 miles), as indicated by experts. The Iranian Ministry of Defense and the Revolutionary Guards, responsible for overseeing Iran’s ballistic missile program, refrained from offering comments on the matter. Similarly, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.
The transportation of these missiles commenced in early January following the finalization of an agreement reached in meetings held late last year between Iranian and Russian military and security officials in Tehran and Moscow. An Iranian military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, revealed that at least four shipments of missiles have occurred, with further deliveries anticipated in the coming weeks. Details regarding the shipment methods include both maritime transport via the Caspian Sea and aerial transportation.
This development coincides with the expiration of certain United Nations Security Council restrictions on Iran’s export of missiles, drones, and related technologies in October. However, despite this expiration, the United States and the European Union have maintained sanctions targeting Iran’s ballistic missile program, citing concerns regarding weapon exports to regional proxies and to Russia.
Confirmation of the missile deliveries was provided by a source familiar with the matter, who did not offer additional specifics. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby expressed concerns in early January regarding Russia’s potential acquisition of short-range ballistic weapons from Iran, in addition to missiles already obtained from North Korea. However, no evidence of deliveries has been observed thus far, according to a U.S. official cited by Reuters. The Pentagon refrained from providing immediate commentary on the reported missile transfers.
Ukrainian officials, including the country’s top prosecutor and military sources, stated that there has been no evidence of Iranian ballistic missiles being utilized by Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. However, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force emphasized the serious threat that ballistic missiles would pose if deployed. Former Ukrainian defense minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk suggested that Russia’s interest in expanding its missile arsenal may be linked to delays in receiving anticipated military aid from the United States, resulting in shortages of crucial defense resources for Ukraine.
Efforts by Ukraine to halt the supply of Shahed drones to Russia, which have been extensively deployed in the conflict, have been unsuccessful. Despite initial denials, Iran acknowledged providing a limited number of these drones to Russia prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani dismissed accusations of Iran’s involvement in providing weapons for the conflict as politically motivated.
Analysts underscore the potential strategic advantage that Iran’s supply of Fateh-100 and Zolfaghar missiles could confer to Russia on the battlefield, particularly in terms of targeting military assets at operational depths and evading Ukrainian air defenses. The intensification of defense cooperation between Iran and Russia reflects broader geopolitical dynamics, with both countries seeking to navigate challenges posed by international sanctions and regional conflicts. However, Iranian officials have emphasized that such collaboration does not entail taking sides in the Ukraine conflict.
Iran’s strategic alignment with Russia is seen as a pragmatic response to geopolitical pressures, including economic sanctions and political isolation. The relationship is characterized as transactional, with Iran seeking enhanced security cooperation and access to advanced weaponry in exchange for military assets provided to Russia. Recent agreements between Iran and Russia include arrangements for the supply of fighter jets, attack helicopters, and pilot training aircraft, highlighting the depth of their defense collaboration.
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