WANA (Sep 10) – John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, has stated that the United States cannot confirm reports about Iran transferring ballistic missiles to Russia. This statement follows recent media claims suggesting that Tehran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

 

Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed deep concerns over these allegations, highlighting that such a transfer would represent a significant escalation and an increased level of Iranian support for Russia’s aggression. Patel reiterated that the U.S., alongside its G7 and NATO partners, is prepared to impose substantial consequences if these claims are verified.

 

Patel also noted that while Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has frequently highlighted efforts to expand global relations and improve Iran’s economy, actions that threaten international peace and order cannot be overlooked. He stressed that Iran will be judged based on its actions.

In response to these allegations, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, commented that while Russia has seen these reports, they do not always align with reality. This follows a report from The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that U.S. officials informed their European counterparts about the alleged missile transfer.

 

The White House had previously indicated that such a transfer would mark a major intensification of Iran’s support for Russia. Meanwhile, the West, led by the U.S., has supplied billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine over the past two and a half years. Recent reports from former U.S. State Department officials suggest that the West may have obstructed peace efforts in Ukraine in 2022.

 

Victoria Nuland, former Deputy Secretary of State, revealed in an interview with Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar that the U.S., the U.K., and other Western allies advised Ukraine to reject peace negotiations and proposals in 2022.