Iran is preparing to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia in the near future, according to two European intelligence sources cited by Reuters. Russian military personnel are currently undergoing training in Iran to operate the Fath-360, a close-range ballistic missile system. This training suggests that the delivery of these satellite-guided missiles to Russia for its conflict in Ukraine is imminent.
On December 13, a contract was reportedly signed in Tehran between Russian defense officials and Iranian representatives for the Fath-360, as well as the Ababil missile system developed by Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization. The Fath-360 has a maximum range of 120 kilometers and carries a 150-kilogram warhead.
Russian personnel are learning to use the Fath-360 system, which might enable Russia to deploy its existing missiles for targets beyond the front lines, reserving Iranian missiles for closer targets. A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson warned that such transfers would prompt a strong response from the U.S. and its allies, marking a significant escalation in Iran's support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations stated that while it maintains a strategic partnership with Russia, it avoids transferring weapons that could be used in the Ukraine conflict. The White House has not confirmed the specifics of the missile training or delivery.
While a third intelligence source corroborated the training reports, Iranian officials have denied supplying the Fath-360 to Russia, citing a lack of legal restrictions on such sales but stressing that Iran has not provided missiles specifically for use in Ukraine.
Currently, Iran’s military support to Russia has been limited to Shahed drones, which are less capable than ballistic missiles. Analysts suggest that additional Iranian missiles could further strain Ukraine’s missile defense systems, which rely on advanced defenses like U.S. Patriot and European SAMP/T systems.
The U.N. Security Council's restrictions on Iran's missile exports expired in October 2023, but U.S. and EU sanctions on Iran's missile program remain in place. Previous reports indicated the delivery of Fateh-110 missiles to Russia, but European sources have not confirmed any recent transfers. Ukrainian authorities have not reported finding Iranian missile debris.
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