U.S. Warns Iran Against Sending Missiles to Russia: 'Severe Response'

The United States and its allies are "deeply concerned" about reports that Iran plans to supply Russia with ballistic missiles, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday.

His remarks came in the wake of a Reuters report from August 10 indicating that Iran could soon send hundreds of missiles to bolster Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

"Together 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 stated during a press briefing, though he did not disclose specific details of the potential countermeasures.

The U.S. is in close communication with its partners to prepare a coordinated response, according to Patel.

"We've been warning of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the onset of Russia's onset full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This partnership threatens European security and illustrates how Iran's destabilizing influence reaches beyond the Middle East around the world," he added.

Patel said that Iranian officials "continue to deny" supplying drones to Russia despite the fact that "evidence is plain for the world to see." He then continued to say Russia uses Iranian drones to attack the civilian population in Ukraine and that the Iranian regime "lacks credibility."

Western officials have long accused Tehran of aiding Russian aggression in Ukraine, particularly through the supply of drones.

The Reuters report, citing two unnamed European intelligence sources, suggests that Iran's support may soon extend to ballistic missiles, specifically the Fath-360. This missile is capable of carrying a 150-kilogram (330-pound) warhead and has a range of up to 75 miles. According to the outlet, Russian troops have already traveled to Iran to receive training on the use of these missiles.

Additionally, Reuters noted that Iran is significantly expanding its ballistic missile production capabilities at the Modares military base and the Khojir missile production complex, signaling a ramp-up in its capacity to supply advanced weaponry.

The potential missile transfer comes on the heels of a visit to Iran by Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of the Russian Security Council and a former defense minister, August 6.

During his trip, Shoigu reportedly discussed security cooperation with Iranian officials, potentially laying the groundwork for further military support. Iran is previously reported to have assisted Russia with the technical information needed to build weapons that have become known as "kamikaze" drones.

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