Iran and Russia, two nations under US sanctions, have recently escalated their military cooperation with the shipment of 400 “highly accurate” ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia.
This move has raised concerns among international observers, as it signifies a deepening alliance between these two countries and has the potential to destabilize the region.
The shipment, which began in early January, includes a variety of surface-to-surface missiles, with many belonging to the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons.
These missiles, such as the Zolfaghar, have a range of 186 to 435 miles, making them capable of hitting targets at a considerable distance1. The anonymous Iranian military official revealed that there have been at least four shipments of missiles, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Some of these missiles were transported via planes, while others were transported via ships through the Caspian Sea.
The recent missile shipment highlights the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia. The deal was reportedly finalized in meetings held in Tehran and Moscow late last year.
Implications and Reactions
The shipment of highly accurate ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia has raised concerns among international observers.
While the UN Security Council lifted restrictions on Iran’s export of missiles and military technology in October, the US and EU have retained sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program.
These sanctions were put in place due to concerns over Iran’s support for proxies in the Middle East and its potential to destabilize the region.
The US previously expressed its concerns about Russia acquiring short-range ballistic weapons from Iran, as well as missiles sourced from North Korea.
“There will be more shipments,” an Iranian official said to Reuters. “There is no reason to hide it. We are allowed to export weapons to any country that we wish to.”
Jeffrey Lewis, an expert with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told Reuters that the Fateh-110 family of missiles and the Zolfaghar are precision weapons used to target high-value assets. These missiles, with their considerable destructive power, could potentially inflict significant harm.
“They are used to point at things that are high value and need precise damage,” said Lewis, adding that 400 munitions could inflict considerable harm if used in Ukraine. He noted, however, that Russian bombardments were already “pretty brutal”.
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