Iran has not yet transferred the launchers for the Fath-360 tactical missiles sent to Russia.

Reuters reported on this, citing sources.

Iran did not transfer mobile launchers with the close-range ballistic missiles that Washington last week accused Tehran of delivering to Russia for use against Ukraine, Reuters reported with reference to three sources with knowledge of the matter.

The sources of this information were a European diplomat, a European intelligence official, and a U.S. official.

They said it was not clear why Iran did not supply launchers with the Fath-360 missiles, raising questions about when and if the weapons will be operational.

The U.S. official, who like the other sources spoke on condition of anonymity, shared Iran had not delivered the launchers at the time of the U.S. announcement about Iran’s delivery of the weapons. The European intelligence official said without elaborating that they did not expect Iran to provide launchers.

Two experts told Reuters there could be several reasons why the launchers were not shipped. One is that Russia may plan to build its own launchers for these missiles. It is worth noting that the Fath-360 missiles have a caliber of 368 mm, which does not match the existing Soviet and Russian missile calibers. Therefore, the adaptation of existing launchers for other systems will require their substantial modification.

However, Russia may plan to modify trucks to carry the missiles, as Iran has done.

Another potential reason is that by withholding the launchers, Iran is allowing space for new talks with Western powers on easing tensions.

David Albright, a former U.N. nuclear inspector who heads the Institute for Science and International Security, noted that Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and other Iranian officials will be meeting with European officials on the sidelines of next week’s U.N. General Assembly in New York to test the potential for diplomacy on Tehran’s nuclear program, regional tensions, and other disputes. “It could be that they (Iran) are holding back the launchers to provide a little space for these talks,” he said. “One can imagine that if there are Iranian missiles raining down (on Ukraine) there would be condemnation at the General Assembly.”

On September 11, 2024, it was reported that Iran had transferred at least 220 Fath-360 missiles to Russia. They were delivered by the civilian cargo ship Port Olya 3 to Astrakhan via the Caspian Sea.

The Iranian Fath-360 missiles are said to have a range between 30 and 120 km, can carry a 150 kg warhead, and fly at Mach 3 (1020 m/s).