The US and UK have dramatically accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia – which are set to be used against civilians within weeks.
US State Secretary Antony Blinken, speaking alongside Foreign Secretary David Lammy, warned that sanctions would be announced against Tehran. Mr Lammy branded it a “significant escalation”.
Mr Blinken and Mr Lammy will both visit Kyiv this week – the first joint visit the two nations have made – where they will hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The US Secretary of State said at a press conference in London: “Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians. Russia has an array of its own ballistic missiles, but the supply of Iranian missiles enables Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets that are further from the front line.”
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PA)
He said dozens of Russian military personnel have been trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close range ballistic missile system – which has a maximum range of 75 miles. In a warning to Tehran and North Korea, Mr Blinken said: : “Anyone who proves assistance to Russia … is perpetuating the war, is perpetuating the conflict.”
Mr Lammy said the supply of Iranian missiles to Russia is “a troubling pattern that we’re seeing – It is definitely a significant escalation”. Iran has denied the allegation.
He said Wednesday’s trip to the Ukranian capital will be “the first of its kind in a decade”. The Foreign Secretary said: “It’s hugely important that we’re travelling together to hear from our Ukrainian counterparts and President Zelensky, their assessment of the situation on the ground and their needs on the ground.”
He refused to reveal whether Ukraine would be given permission to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil – which Mr Zelensky has long called for. Mr Lammy said: “It would, however, be quite wrong to comment on the detail of operational issues in a forum such as this, because the only person who could benefit is Putin, and we will do nothing to give him any advantage in his illegal invasion.”
Mr Blinken praised the new Government, saying Mr Lammy had “hit the ground at a full sprint” and said the “special relationship” between the two nations is “essential”.
Keir Starmer will meet US President Joe Biden on Friday in the White House to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.
The US and its allies have been warning Iran for months not to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. CIA director William Burns, who was in London on Saturday for a joint appearance with his British intelligence counterpart, warned of the growing and “troubling” defence relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.