INTELLIGENCE SOURCES SAY IRAN WILL DELIVER HUNDREDS OF BALLISTIC MISSILES TO RUSSIA SOON

Sat 10 August 2024:

Two European intelligence sources told Reuters that dozens of Russian military personnel are undergoing training in Iran to operate the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system. This training is reportedly a precursor to the imminent delivery of hundreds of these satellite-guided missiles to Russia, intended for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

On December 13, Russian defense ministry officials allegedly finalized a contract in Tehran with Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) for both the Fath-360 and the Ababil missile systems. This information comes from intelligence sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

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The intelligence officials cited confidential sources, stating that Russian personnel have traveled to Iran to train on the Fath-360 system, which is capable of launching missiles up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) with a 150 kg warhead. According to one source, after the training phase, the next logical step is the actual delivery of the missiles to Russia.

Although Russia has its own arsenal of ballistic missiles, acquiring the Fath-360s would enable Moscow to allocate its existing missiles to targets beyond the immediate battlefield, while using Iranian missiles for closer engagements. A military expert explained that this strategy would diversify Russia’s missile capabilities.

A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson warned that the United States and its allies, including NATO and G7 partners, are ready to respond decisively if Iran proceeds with such transfers. The spokesperson emphasized that such actions would significantly escalate Iran’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Despite these concerns, Russia’s defense ministry did not provide any comments, while Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations stated that Iran maintains a strategic partnership with Russia but refrains from supplying weapons for the Ukraine conflict.

The White House has not confirmed whether Iran is training Russian personnel or planning to ship the weapons to Russia. Although no specific timeline was provided by the intelligence sources for the delivery of the Fath-360 missiles, they indicated it would happen soon. Additionally, a third European intelligence source corroborated the training reports but withheld further details due to the sensitivity of the information.

A senior Iranian official, also speaking anonymously, acknowledged that Iran has sold missiles and drones to Russia, but denied providing Fath-360 missiles. The official mentioned that Iran and Russia engage in mutual military equipment purchases, and how each country uses the equipment is their decision. However, Iran does not supply weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Iran’s military aid to Russia has predominantly been through unmanned Shahed drones. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported in July 2023 about successful tests of a new Fath-360 training system by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force.

Earlier in February, Reuters reported on the deepening military ties between Iran and Russia, noting Moscow’s interest in Iranian missiles. However, European intelligence sources clarified that, as per their knowledge, no missile transfer has occurred yet, and Ukrainian authorities have not found any Iranian missile debris during the conflict.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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