Two European intelligence sources say dozens of Russian military personnel are currently undergoing training in Iran to use the Fath-360 ballistic missile system. Tehran is expected to soon deliver hundreds of satellite-guided missiles to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.
Russian Defense Ministry representatives are believed to have signed contracts with Iranian officials regarding the Fath-360 missile system and other ballistic missile systems manufactured by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization, Ababil.
The deal was signed on Dec. 13, 2023, in Tehran, Iran, according to two intelligence officials. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Citing intelligence sources, the official said Russian personnel visited Iran to learn how to operate the Fath-360 defense system. The system is capable of launching missiles with a maximum range of 120 km and a warhead weighing 150 kg. One of the sources added that the 'only possible next step' after the training would be the delivery of the missiles to Russia.
While Moscow already has its own ballistic missiles, the supply of Fath-360s could allow Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets beyond the front lines, while the warheads from Iran are used for closer range targets, according to a military expert.
A US National Security Council spokesman said the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliesNorth Alliance Treaty Organization/NATO) and G7 partners “stand ready to respond swiftly and forcefully if Iran proceeds with such transfers.”
“The arms transfer would be a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine,” the spokesman said. “The White House has repeatedly warned of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York said in a statement that the Islamic Republic has established a long-term strategic partnership with Russia in various fields, including military cooperation.
“Nevertheless, from an ethical standpoint, Iran refrains from transferring any weapons, including missiles, that could potentially be used in a conflict with Ukraine until that conflict ends,” the statement said.
The White House has refused to confirm that Iran is training Russian military personnel with the Fath-360 or that Iran is preparing to ship the weapon to Russia for use against Ukraine.
The two intelligence sources did not provide a specific date for when the Fath-360 missiles might be delivered to Russia. However, they indicated that it would happen soon. They also did not provide further information on the status of the Ababil contract.
A third intelligence source from another European intelligence agency said they had also received information about Russian troops being sent to Iran to train on Iranian ballistic missile systems, although they did not provide further details.
A third source, who declined to be named, said such training was standard practice for Iranian weapons supplied to Russia.
A senior Iranian official who requested anonymity said that Iran sells missiles and drones to Russia, but has not supplied Fath-360 missiles. The official also added that there is no legal prohibition on Tehran selling such weapons to Russia.
“Iran and Russia have a relationship in jointly purchasing military parts and equipment. How each country uses that equipment is entirely their decision,” the official said, adding that Iran did not sell weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.
As part of military cooperation, Iranian and Russian officials frequently travel between the two countries, he added.
Until now, Iran's military support for Moscow has been largely limited to the Shahed attack drone, which carries small amounts of explosives and is easier to shoot down due to its speed and smaller size compared to ballistic missiles.
Iran's semi-official news agency, Tasnimreported in July 2023 that the system had been successfully tested by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces. (ah/ft)
