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According to British intelligence, Russia is trying to acquire “hundreds of ballistic missiles” from Iran as military ties between the two countries deepen and the war in Ukraine continues.
Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom Tweeted Iran has become one of Russia’s top military backers since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Saturday or February, and Iran’s support for the Russian military is likely to increase in the coming months.
“In return, Russia is offering Iran an unprecedented level of military and technical assistance that is changing their defense relationship,” the ministry said.
It said Russia likely used a large proportion of SS-26 Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, which can carry a 500-kilogram warhead up to 500 kilometers. The ministry believes that if Russia successfully acquires a large number of Iranian ballistic missiles, they will be used to expand its attacks against Ukraine’s national infrastructure.
The report comes after the White House warned on Friday that Russia and Iran were preparing for joint weapons production. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the United States did not know how Iran was weighing whether to participate, but that Russia wanted to work with Iran on a joint production line.
British Foreign Secretary James Chaturai said in a statement on Friday that the UK would continue to expose this “bad alliance” and hold both countries accountable.
Russia has used explosive drones from Iran throughout the war to hit military and civilian targets in Ukraine. Iran is officially neutral but has faced international criticism for Russia’s use of Iranian-made drones to attack Ukraine.
Iran’s foreign minister admitted for the first time last month that Iran had given the drones to Russia, but said the transfer took place before the war began and that Iranian officials did not know how they would be used.
Iran and Russia finalized an agreement later that month to build hundreds of armed drones on Russian territory, with production scheduled to begin within months.
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