Iran planning to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia? US deeply concerned
Iran is preparing to supply Russia with hundreds of ballistic missiles. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasised on Monday that if this transfer occurs, it would mark a significant escalation.
On Friday, Reuters reported that dozens of Russian military personnel are being trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, according to two European intelligence sources. They added that they expected the imminent delivery of hundreds of the satellite-guided weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
According to the report, Russian defence ministry representatives are believed to have signed a contract on Dec. 13 in Tehran with Iranian officials for the Fath-360 and another ballistic missile system built by Iran's government-owned Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) called the Ababil.
Russian personnel have visited Iran to learn how to operate the Fath-360 defence system, which launches missiles with a maximum range of 120 km (75 miles) and a warhead of 150 kg, the report said.
Meanwhile, Iran had put its long-range Mohajer-10 drones on show at a defence exhibit in Russia, Iran's official news agency said on Monday.
US officials have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, including the Mohajer-6, which Moscow allegedly used in its invasion of Ukraine. Tehran has denied these claims.
The more advanced Mohajer-10 drone system was recently showcased at the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum, held from Monday to Wednesday in Patriot Park near Moscow.
