The State Department warned there would be a “swift and severe” response if Iran sent ballistic missiles to Russia, following reports that the country plans to soon send hundreds of satellite-guided weapons to Moscow.
Reuters reported Friday that Iran is planning to send ballistic missiles to Russia “soon,” citing multiple European intelligence sources, adding that Iran is already training Russian forces on how to use the Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile system.
Responding to that report, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said on Monday that the U.S. would respond quickly to any such transfer.
“We have been warning of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This partnership threatens European security and illustrates how Iran’s destabilizing influence extends beyond the Middle East and across the world,” he said. he said.
“As our partners have made clear… we are prepared to jointly provide a swift and severe response if Iran moves forward with the transfer of ballistic missiles, which, in our view, would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for war of aggression against Ukraine,” he continued.
Iran supported the Russian military in Ukraine with attack drones, which were used to attack Kiev in late 2022.
Iran also launched a mass drone attack against Israel in April, sending around 170 drones and 120 ballistic missiles towards the country. Almost all were intercepted or shot down by a coalition of Israeli, American and Jordanian forces.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
