U.S. Accuses Iran of Supplying Missiles to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken publicly accused Iran of providing short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, intended for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He announced that the Biden administration is set to impose additional sanctions on Tehran in response to these actions. Among the targeted entities will be Iran Air, the nation’s principal airline, which is implicated in facilitating these transactions.

During a news conference alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Mr. Blinken warned that Russia is expected to deploy these missiles “within weeks against Ukrainian targets.” He elaborated that the United States has recently shared intelligence with allied nations regarding the nature and range of these missiles, which can reach distances of up to 75 miles.

According to Mr. Blinken, this missile supply from Iran could strategically allow Russia to conserve its longer-range missiles for deeper strikes within Ukraine, thus shifting the dynamics of the conflict. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a troubling pattern that we’re seeing from Iran,” a sentiment echoed by Mr. Lammy, who described the missile shipments as a “significant escalation” in Iran’s involvement in the conflict.

In a display of solidarity with Ukraine, both diplomats announced plans for a joint visit to the war-torn nation later this week—the first such visit during the ongoing conflict by officials from the United States and an allied country. “I think it’s a good moment for Ukraine in the middle of what is an intense fall fighting season,” Mr. Blinken remarked, highlighting the urgency of support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. The visit is scheduled for Wednesday, shortly before Mr. Blinken attends a meeting in Poland on Thursday.

Mr. Lammy indicated that the United Kingdom would likely announce further sanctions against Iran in response to the missile shipments. He emphasized their mutual commitment to holding Iran accountable for actions that undermine global stability, stating, “We discussed our shared commitment to holding Iran to account.”

For years, the United States, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, has implemented stringent sanctions against Iran due to its military activities across the Middle East. However, these measures have often fallen short of deterring the Iranian government’s aggressive behavior.

In recent days, U.S. and European officials have revealed, on the condition of anonymity, that Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles. This comes despite previous warnings issued by the United States and its allies that such actions would trigger additional economic sanctions.

Reporting contributed by Mark Landler from London.