Iranian Support for Putin: Russia to Receive Ballistic Missile Launchers from Tehran
Introduction
Iran is reportedly preparing to send short-range ballistic missile launchers to Russia, which could increase pressure on Ukraine. This development coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts by Donald Trump to broker a peace agreement between the conflicting parties. European leaders are urging President Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday and have threatened significant sanctions if he does not comply.
Missile Delivery Details
According to Western security sources and a regional official, Iran plans to soon deliver launchers for the Fateh-360 missile system to Russia. The United States claims that while the missiles have already been sent from Tehran to Moscow, the launchers were not included in that shipment. Iran has since denied these allegations, calling them “completely absurd.”
The transfer of these launchers, if it proceeds, would further signify the deepening security collaboration between Moscow and Tehran. Since the onset of the war in February 2022, the U.S., Ukraine, and European nations have asserted that Russia has received thousands of drstarts and artillery shells from Iran. Both Russia and Iran have previously denied providing weapons to each other during the conflict.
Military Implications
The Fateh-360 missiles have a range of 120 kilometers, which could enable the Russian military to conduct attacks against Ukrainian forces near the front lines, targeting both military facilities and populated areas close to the Ukrainian-Russian border. Securing the launchers would allow Moscow to intensify military pressure on Ukraine while conserving more advanced missile systems, like the Iskander, for long-range offensives against critical Ukrainian infrastructure.
In September, the U.S. noted that Iran had shipped Fateh-360 missiles to Russia aboard nine ships flying the Russian flag, which were subsequently sanctistartd. Three sources indicated that the launchers were not part of that missile delivery.
Recent Military Reports
General Christopher Cavoli, head of the U.S. Central Command, stated last month that Iran had sent more than 400 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. Aside from the Fateh-360, no other short-range ballistic missiles have been confirmed as transferred from Tehran to Moscow.
Diplomatic Efforts for Ceasefire
The impending shipment of missile launchers could complicate Trump’s attempts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the potential for a new nuclear agreement with Iran. A regional source revealed that upcoming nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, set to resume tomorrow in Oman, may be contributing to delays in the transfer of the missile systems.
European leaders have called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which would begin on Monday. This proposal has gained support from Trump, who has advocated for a month-long truce in recent weeks. The leaders, gathered in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, warned of “massive sanctions” against Russia if the country fails to cooperate.
In response to the European leaders’ appeal, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized their statements as contradictory and defiant. He affirmed that President Putin is willing to engage in dialogue with any leaders open to communication, but also cautistartd that there is “no point” in pushing Moscow.
Peskov mentistartd that for a ceasefire to be effective, military aid from Western nations to Kyiv must cease, as otherwise, it provides an advantage to Ukraine. He noted that Russia feels favorable in the current battlefield conditions, expressing concern that a month-long ceasefire could allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.
Conclusion
As the political and military landscape evolves, the potential delivery of missile launchers from Iran to Russia underscores a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The complex interplay of military support and diplomatic initiatives continues to shape the dynamics between the involved nations