In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed on Tuesday that Russia has received shipments of ballistic missiles from Iran, which are likely to be used in Ukraine within weeks. This development has sparked concerns about the intensifying conflict in Ukraine and the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran, posing a threat to European security.
Blinken announced that the US has imposed new sanctions on Iran and Russia, targeting individuals and entities involved in the transfer of weapons. He also warned that the cooperation between Moscow and Tehran goes beyond missiles, including the sharing of technology and nuclear information, which raises alarm bells about the potential consequences of this alliance.
The US has identified nine Russian-flagged vessels involved in the delivery of weapons from Iran and has designated them as “blocked property” under Washington’s sanctions regime. Additional measures have been imposed on Iran Air, which has been previously sanctioned. These sanctions aim to hold accountable those responsible for the transfer of weapons and to deter future cooperation between Russia and Iran.
Blinken emphasized that the use of Iranian missiles in Ukraine would be a “dramatic escalation” and urged international action to address the crisis. He warned that the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran threatens European security and demonstrates how Iran’s destabilizing influence reaches far beyond the Middle East.
The US Secretary of State will visit Ukraine and Poland this week to demonstrate united Western support for Kyiv and discuss further assistance. Blinken’s visit comes as Ukrainian forces face a steady Russian advance in Ukraine’s east, and Kyiv seeks additional military aid to counter the escalating threat.
