The United States commented on reports of Iran’s possible supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.

The US also announced the introduction of additional sanctions against Iran for supplying arms to Russia.

RFE/RL reported on this.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing on February 22 that the United States had no evidence of missiles having been transferred to Russia from Iran.

“We have seen no evidence that the missiles have actually moved from Iran to Russia,” Kirby said, noting that “we have no reason to believe that they will not be moved.”

At the same time, Kirby warned Iran that providing ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine will be met with even more sanctions and action at the UN.

He also said that in the coming days the United States would impose additional sanctions against Iran for supplying Russia with drones and other weapons for the war against Ukraine.

Previously, the Reuters news agency, citing its own sources, reported that Iran had sent more than a hundred Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which were developed on the basis of Fateh-110.

According to the agency, Iran will send about 400 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, including the Zolfaghar.

The supply of Iranian missiles to the Russian Federation began in early January 2024 after the agreement between Moscow and Tehran, which was discussed between two countries in 2023.

As noted by senior officials in the Iranian Ministry of Defense, missiles were supplied by the Caspian Sea as well as aircraft.

Zolfaghar

A Zolfaghar ballistic missile is a short-range missile that is mounted on a mobile launcher with two or one launcher. It is capable of covering a distance of up to 700 km, and its warhead weighs up to 650 kg. The guidance of the missile consists of an inertial system, and for accurate targeting, it additionally has an optronic seeker, which is used on the terminal flight path, as well as GPS.