An EU spokesperson confirmed that Russia had received a shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles. In response, the EU said on Tuesday (10 September) that it had presented options to member states to take “a series of decisive and targeted measures” against Tehran.
“We confirm that we have received credible information about the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia,” EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano told reporters.
His statement came after the United States accused Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia on the same day. The US then announced that it would take action against the countries involved in the supply.
Tehran has so far denied having supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, describing the media reports as “psychological warfare” against the country.
Stano told reporters that EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had repeatedly warned the Iranian side at bilateral level against such a decision.
In response to the missile delivery on Tuesday, the European External Action Service (EEAS) has proposed to the member states “a series of decisive and targeted measures” against Iran. These must now be approved unanimously by the member states, Stano added.
“A delivery of ballistic missiles is likely to support Russia’s escalating bombing campaign against Ukrainian civilians, cities and civilian infrastructure, further increasing the number of civilian casualties and destruction,” Stano said.
“Such support for the Russian terror campaign against the Ukrainian people will be met with a strong response from the EU.”
The foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the so-called E3, declared on Tuesday in a joint declaration alsothat they would sanction Iran for supplying missiles to Russia.
“This is a further escalation of Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which will allow Iranian missiles to reach European territory and exacerbate the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” the statement said.
“We will take immediate action to suspend bilateral aviation agreements with Iran,” they said.
“In addition, we will continue to designate key entities and individuals involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia,” it said.
[Bearbeitet von Owen Morgan/Nick Alipour]
