Iran denies reports of missile transfer to Russia

A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander has denied reports that Iran is transferring missiles to Russia, Iranian media said on Monday, amid concern in the West that they could be deployed in the war in Ukraine. Reuters has reported that CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing unidentified sources, that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

Brigadier Fazlollah Nozari, deputy commander of the Khatam Al-Anbia Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Iranian Labour News Agency as saying: “No missile was sent to Russia and this claim is a kind of psychological warfare. Iran does not support any of the parties in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.”

Asked about the reports on Monday, the Kremlin said that Iran is Russia’s partner and that the two countries were developing dialogue in all areas.

Ukraine said last week that deepening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was a threat to Ukraine, Europe and the Middle East. It called on the international community to increase pressure on Iran and Russia.

Any Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would mark a sharp escalation in the Ukraine war, said the US on Friday.

Tehran and Moscow have drawn closer since Russia ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, with Iran supplying Shahed drones to Russia’s military.

Iran: 92% of Iranians ‘dissatisfied’ with current situation in the country