Iran has vehemently rejected Western allegations that it has been supplying short-range missiles to Russia for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The country has also pledged to respond to new sanctions imposed by a coalition of European nations.
On Wednesday, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, dismissed the claims, stating that the United States and its allies are relying on “faulty intelligence.” Araghchi challenged the logic behind the sanctions, asking, “How is Iran able to make & supposedly sell sophisticated arms?” He suggested that sanctions are not a solution but rather contribute to the problem.
Further escalating the situation, Nasser Kanaani, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, branded the sanctions announced by Britain, France, and Germany as “economic terrorism” aimed at the Iranian people. He vowed “appropriate and proportionate action” in response. These sanctions, which include revoking bilateral agreements for providing air services to Iran and imposing sanctions on Iran Air, were announced following the US’s formal accusation of Iran supplying weapons to Moscow.
Kanaani strongly refuted any claims of Iran selling ballistic missiles to Russia, labeling them as “completely baseless and false”. Despite these denials, reports suggest that Iran’s relationship with Moscow has strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Iran supplying Shahed drones to Russia.
These allegations and sanctions could further strain the already tense relations between Iran and the West, potentially leading to an escalation in the conflict. Earlier this year, the US and its allies imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone programs, citing Iran’s alleged transfer of around 400 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles to Russia. The current situation highlights the growing tensions in the Middle East and the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
