The United States on Monday issued a stern warning to Iran, cautioning against the potential transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. The U.S. has vowed a “swift and severe response” if Iran proceeds with the delivery, which would mark a significant escalation in Tehran’s support for Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel confirmed that the U.S. is in communication with European allies regarding reports that Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of ballistic missiles. Patel underscored the gravity of the situation, describing the potential transfer as a “dramatic escalation” in Iran’s involvement in the conflict.
“We are prepared to deliver a swift and severe response if Iran were to move forward with the transfer of ballistic missiles, which would, in our view, represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Patel told reporters.
The warning comes as Russia increasingly relies on countries under international sanctions, including North Korea, for military supplies to sustain its operations in Ukraine. The U.S. has previously imposed sanctions targeting suppliers of Iranian drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia. Despite evidence that Iranian UAVs have been used in attacks against Ukrainian civilian targets, Iranian officials continue to deny their involvement.
Patel also noted that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist leader, had campaigned on promises of improving relations with the United States and European nations. This recent development, according to Patel, highlights the Iranian regime’s ongoing credibility issues on the international stage.
‘Severe Consequences’: US Warns Iran Against Sending Ballistic Missiles to Russia world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
