White House national security spokesman John Kirby announced on Tuesday that Iran could supply Russia with short-range ballistic missiles for use against targets in Ukraine.
Mr. Kirby noted that the United States is concerned about Tehran’s growing military cooperation with Moscow, further pointing out that the Islamic regime has already been providing Russia with drones, guided aerial bombs, and other munitions.
“Iran may be preparing to go a step further in its support for Russia,” Mr. Kirby said, highlighting a meeting in which Iran hosted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems.
“We are therefore concerned that Iran is considering providing Russia with ballistic missiles now for use in Ukraine,” he said.
In return for that military support, Mr. Kirby said Moscow has been offering Tehran “unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics, and air defense.”
Additionally, Mr. Kirby revealed that U.S. intelligence indicates the Wagner mercenary group, at the direction of the Russian government, was preparing to provide an air defense capability to either Iran or the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.
“Iran is seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia, including attack helicopters, radars, and combat trainer aircraft,” he said. “In total, Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia to strengthen its military capabilities. Russia has also been helping Iran develop and maintain its satellite collection capabilities and other space-based programs.”
Mr. Kirby stated that the United States would closely monitor the situation and was prepared to use its counterterrorism sanctions authorities against Russian individuals or entities that “might make these destabilizing transfers.”
“We’ve already taken a range of steps, including implementing numerous U.S. sanctions designations and working with partners like the European Union to expand the scope of their sanctions authority and their designations,” he said.
Mr. Kirby made the remarks as the White House has been pressing Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s mammoth foreign aid spending bill of more than $105 billion, which would allocate some $61 billion to the ongoing war in Ukraine, $14.3 billion to Israel, and $6.4 billion to operations on the U.S.–Mexico border.
Iran-Russia Military Partnership
This wouldn’t be the first time Iran allegedly transferred military equipment to Russia.
On Nov. 22, the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement that its air defenses shot down 14 Shahed drones launched by Russian forces in an overnight attack, noting an X-22 cruise missile was also fired toward the Zaporizhzhia region but failed to reach its target.
The air force said the attack on Ukraine’s central, southeastern, and western regions lasted from 8:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 21 until 3:00 a.m. on Nov. 22. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
Ukraine identified the drones as Shahed-136/131 “kamikaze” drones, which explode on impact. The unmanned aerial vehicles are produced by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).
Tehran and Moscow have both denied claims that Russian forces are using Iranian-built drones against targets in Ukraine.
Mr. Kirby, meanwhile, noted on Tuesday that Iran is looking to buy additional military equipment from Russia.
“Earlier this year, Iran announced that it had finalized a deal to buy SU-35 fighter jets from Russia,” he said. “Iran is seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia, including attack helicopters, radars, and combat trainer aircraft.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.