Reuters: Iran exports 400 long-range ballistic missiles to Russia
The range of the Iranian missiles that Russia has received is up to 700 kilometers.
In 2024, Iran has already sent several batches of its surface-to-surface ballistic missiles to Russia, Reuters reported, citing six unnamed sources.
While Germany and the United States are hesitant to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS and Taurus missiles, Russian allies (Iran and North Korea) have no restrictions on supplying Russia with long-range weapons.
According to three unnamed Iranian sources, Iran has provided Russia with about 400 missiles, most likely the Fateh-110 short-range Iranian ballistic missiles. Some of the missiles that Iran delivered to Russia have a range of 300 to 700 kilometers.
Iran began to send missiles to Russia in early January 2024 as part of the agreements concluded at the end of 2023 during meetings at the level of military and intelligence services in Tehran and Moscow. Reuters reported that some deliveries were made by air, some by ship through the Caspian Sea, and others by plane.
“There will be even more deliveries. There is no reason to hide it. We are allowed to export weapons to any country we want,” an unnamed Iranian official told Reuters.
As UN Security Council Resolution 2231’s missile restrictions have expired, Iran gains the ability to export missiles and missile-related technology without international oversight, potentially fulfilling Russian needs.
One of the Iranian sources told Reuters that Iran needs military cooperation with Russia to “demonstrate Iran’s defense capabilities to the world.” The Iranian sources added that Iranian-Russian military collaboration does not mean that Iran “is taking Russia’s side in the Ukrainian conflict.”
Two American and Ukrainian sources told Reuters that they have not yet seen the use of Iranian missiles by the Russian military in Ukraine.
Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran in September, exploring opportunities to strengthen defense and military cooperation with Iran. During the visit, Iranian officials showcased various military equipment, including the Paveh cruise missile, 358 surface-to-air missiles, Ababil, and Fateh missiles.
Related:
- North Korean missile fired by Russia in Ukraine contained US, European components
- EU agrees on new sanctions, targeting Russia’s drone production
- Russia eyes missile purchase as UN restrictions on Iran expire
- WSJ: Iran mulls supplying ballistic missiles to Russia
- Spy Chief: Russia’s strength on front line falters, but Ukraine needs more Western aid
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
