Iran has sent short-range missiles to Russia that are expected to be used against Ukraine within weeks, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Tuesday, announcing a joint solidarity trip to Kiev with his British counterpart.
Blinken, during a visit to London, said the United States and its allies would impose new sanctions on Iran for defying warnings about sending missiles, including by state carrier Iran Air.
He said dozens of Russian military personnel trained in Iran using the Fath-360 missile, which has a range of 120 kilometers.
“We have privately warned Iran that taking this step would represent a dramatic escalation,” Blinken told a news conference in the British capital.
“Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and is likely to use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians. Iran’s new president and foreign minister have repeatedly said they want renewed engagement with Europe. They want sanctions relief. Destabilizing actions like these will achieve the exact opposite,” he said.
Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lemmy said they would travel together “this week” to Ukraine, the first such trip together in years.
“We are the closest allies, so I am delighted that we will travel together, showing our commitment to Ukraine,” said Lemmy.
The US will announce further sanctions on Iran later today, according to Blinken’s announcement.
However, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff said that imposing sanctions on Iran for supplying Moscow with ballistic missiles is not enough and that allies should allow Kiev to strike deep into Russia using Western weapons.
“We also need permission to use Western weapons against military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation, deliver longer-range missiles and strengthen our air defenses,” official Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.
