As another reminder of how these already dangerous and volatile wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are inter-connected, United States officials are slamming the Iranian government in the wake of fresh reports saying Tehran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report Friday that “Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, according to U.S. and European officials, a move that gives Moscow another potent military tool in its war against Ukraine and follows stern Western warnings not to provide those arms to Moscow.”
The Pentagon and US intelligence has for months been warning about such a possibility, and has been threatening Iran over the potential move, but a US official has now “confirmed” to the WSJ that the missiles “have finally been delivered.” The Biden White House has said “a severe response” to Tehran awaits.
NATO countries led by the US have been warning of swift and severe consequences, but the reality is at this point there’s not too much left to sanction in either the Islamic Republic or Russia. Both are a couple of the most highly sanctioned countries on earth, which has only resulted in their deepening their relations, and turning to BRICS and non-aligned Global South countries. Group of 7 countries have said they will coordinate to punish Iran if missile deliveries to Russia’s armed forces go through.
It’s long been well-known that Russia has received thousands of Iranian kamikaze drones, which have for the last two-and-a-half years been a feature of the aerial assault on Ukrainian cities. The Islamic Republic is even helping Russia manufacture drones inside Russia.
