The G7 countries issued a warning on Friday to Iran against providing Russia with ballistic missiles for potential use in Ukraine.
Tehran and Moscow have grown their military-to-military relationship over the course of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has pitted Russia in a corner on the global stage. Iran has been one of the few countries to come to Russia’s aid, having provided them with hundreds of one-way attack drones that Russian forces have used to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the course of the war.
“We are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia after having supplied the Russian regime with UAVs, which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine,” the statement from the G7, which was released on Friday, said.
“We call on Iran not to do so, as it would add to regional destabilization and represent a substantive material escalation in its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine – an aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter,” it continued. “Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran.”
A U.S. official told the Washington Examiner last month that Tehran and Moscow’s conversations regarding the transfer of ballistic missiles “are actively advancing” but noted that they have yet to see any evidence that such a transfer has already occurred.
The Biden administration has warned since the start of the war about the growing military relationship between the two U.S. adversaries.
“In total, Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia to strengthen its military capabilities. Russia has also been helping Iran develop and maintain its satellite collection capabilities and other space-based programs,” NSC coordinator John Kirby told reporters in November.
“Russia has been offering Tehran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics, and air defense. Earlier this year, Iran announced it had finalized a deal to buy Su-35 fighter jets from Russia,” Kirby added. “Iran is seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia, including attack helicopters, radars, and combat trainer aircraft.”
Iran uses commercial technology in its weapons, often from the United States and Europe. The Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and Treasury also released a business advisory last October to alert companies about the deceptive practices of Iran’s missile procurement networks.
North Korea is another Russian ally that has provided them with military equipment.
North Korea provided Russia with “several” ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launchers that they used in late December 2023 and early January 2024, Kirby told reporters at the time.
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“We expect Russia and North Korea to learn from these launches,” Kirby said. “And we anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians. These North Korean ballistic missiles are capable ranges of approximately 900 kilometers, that’s about 550 miles. This is a significant and concerning escalation in the DPRK’s support for Russia.”
In return for North Korea’s support, the U.S. believes that Pyongyang is hoping to get military assistance from Russia, which may include fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, and other advanced technologies.