European Union says it has 'credible information' on Iran sending missiles to Russia

EU says Iran supplied Russia with missiles for Ukraine war, prompting threat of new sanctions and diplomatic tensions

The European Union said on Monday (September 9, 2024) that its allies had shared "credible" intelligence that Iran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, a claim rejected by Tehran but not explicitly denied by the Kremlin.

U.S. media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, citing anonymous sources.

"We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," EU spokesman Peter Stano said.

"We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine."

Mr. Stano added that "the EU leaders' unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran".

Iran's Foreign Ministry vehemently rejected the accusations.

The West has been warning Tehran against sending Russia missiles for months, and the EU has already repeatedly hit Iran with sanctions for supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine.