US prepares sanctions against Iran over missile sales to Russia

The United States intends to further crack down on Iran for helping Russia in the war on Ukraine, a US official said on October 17 following reports that Tehran plans to send Moscow missiles to use on the battlefield.

The penalties — likely to include economic sanctions and possibly some export controls — would also target third parties that help Tehran and Moscow, writes Politico.

“Are we going to do more about Iranian military sales to Russia? Absolutely, yes,” the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. “For anybody in the world who is either selling material to Iran that could be used for [unmanned aerial vehicles] or ballistic missiles, or who is involved in flights between Iran and Russia: Do your due diligence, because we are absolutely going to sanction anybody who’s helping Iranians help Russians kill Ukrainians.”

The official declined to get into the specifics of the future penalties or comment directly on recent reports about Iran-Russia weapons deals.

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that Iran — in addition to continuing to sell Russia drones, some of which are used kamikaze style to crash into targets — plans to send Moscow surface-to-surface missiles. Those could include Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles, two Iranian short-range ballistic missiles, according to the Post.

Iran has denied selling any weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.

The US official noted that the Biden administration has in the past publicized such weapons sales and made clear they would lead to penalties.

“We’ve been we’ve been very public warning people about coming sales, including the UAV sales since the summer,” the official said. “Iran has just lied about them, and they’re being caught in their lies.”

On October 17, more than two dozen suicide drones struck Kyiv, killing four people, setting buildings ablaze and striking energy facilities, the Associated Press reported. Officials said the attack came in successive waves of 28 drones — which appeared to include Iranian-made Shaheds.

US politicians joined in the calls to punish Iran for these weapons sales. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) tweeted that Biden must “speak out loudly about the regime in Iran and support the protesters, and provide Ukraine air defence.”