Russia set to receive Iranian rocket launchers for short-range missiles
The juice is about to hit the fan as Iran gears up to deliver Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launchers to Russia, according to three top officials from the West and a regional source. This intel was spilled by Reuters on May 9, 2025.
Iran is quick to wave off these claims, branding them as utter nonsense.
If Iran follows through with this move, it'll no doubt lend a helping hand to bolster Russia's aggressive stance against Ukraine and strengthen the bond between Moscow and Tehran.
These Fath-360 launchers, with a whopping range of 120 kilometers, would equip Russian forces with a new weapon to fire at enemies on the frontline, strategic military targets, and populated areas near the Ukraine-Russia border. Experts agree.
Back in 2024, Iran shipped a plethora of Fath-360 missiles to Russia but without the launchers at that time. Some say it was due to diplomatic reasons, while others believe it was due to technical challenges with integration.
The exact timing and specifics of the transfer are on lockdown from our sources, who prefer to remain anonymous.
Iran's embassy in the United States dismisses the accusations, stating that Tehran will remain neutral in the conflict unless direct assistance is requested by either side.
Russia's defense ministry has yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, the US National Security Council has redirected inquiries to the State Department, who aren't returning calls just yet. The CIA isn't open to discussing this matter either.
In the past, Russia and Iran have danced around the idea of Iranian missile shipments to aid Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Insiders confirm that Iran has indeed supplied Russia with thousands of drones and artillery shells.
General Christopher Cavoli, commander of US Central Command, hinted at this news in a recent speech, mentioning Iran's donation of over 400 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. No official reports of Iran transferring any other types of short-range ballistic missiles have surfaced so far.
As we paint the picture of a possible missile liftoff, it's worth noting that the recent diplomatic buzz surrounding Iran and the US could have played a role in delaying the delivery of launchers. The fourth round of negotiations mediated by Oman has run into turbulence, but Iran signaled its intentions to hold this round this coming Sunday.
Analysts point out that Iranian officials may see the issue of sending missile systems to Russia as separate from the ongoing nuclear negotiations. According to Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, the Iranians view these matters as distinct, with no connection between providing military assistance to Russia and resolving nuclear issues with the US.
In the grand scheme of things, the proposed delivery of these Iranian launchers to Russia has the potential to shake up the fragile balance in Ukraine and create new challenges for the US and its partners, especially in the context of the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.
[1] Reuters, Iran Imminently to Deliver Missile Launchers to Russia: Sources, May 9, 2025[2] The New York Times, Iran to Deliver Ballistic Missile Launchers to Russia Amid Ukraine Crisis, May 9, 2025[3] Al Jazeera, Iran to Send Missile Launchers to Russia: Sources, May 9, 2025[4] Bloomberg, Iran to Deliver Missile Launchers to Russia, Sources Say, May 9, 2025
Context: The Deepening Security Ties Between Iran and Russia
Iran and Russia have been strengthening their military cooperation over the years, especially amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This tightened partnership could have strategic implications for the US and its allies, particularly given Iran's controversial nuclear program and its history of supporting radical groups in the region.
Impacts: Escalation of the Conflict in Ukraine
The delivery of Fath-360 launchers to Russia would give Moscow's forces a powerful new weapon to use against Ukraine. These missiles have a range of 30 to 120 kilometers and are designed for rapid deployment and cost-effectiveness. Although they may lack precision, their deployment would add pressure on Ukraine's defenses and complicate the security situation in the region.
Diplomatic Implications: US-Iran Nuclear Talks and the Broader Regional Strategy
The transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia shows Tehran's alignment with Moscow's geopolitical interests and could complicate ongoing efforts by the US and its partners to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Washington's awareness of Iran's role in supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine may solidify Western positions in negotiations and fuel concerns about Iran's pursuit of strategic advantages on the global stage.
- The baseless accusations of Iran delivering Fath-360 missile launchers to Russia, reported by various media outlets, are swiftly dismissed by Iranian officials.
- The general news of Iranian missiles being shipped to Russia in 2024, without launchers, has caused speculation about diplomatic reasons or technical challenges with integration.
- If Iran agrees to deliver Fath-360 missile launchers to Russia, it could baselessly strengthen Moscow's stance against Ukraine and further deepen Russia-Iran relations.
- Analysts agree that the Fath-360 launchers, with a range of 120 kilometers, would be a significant addition to Russia's arsenal, targeting enemies on the frontline, strategic military targets, and potentially populated areas near the Ukraine-Russia border.
- In the neighboring United States, Iran's embassy maintains that Tehran will remain neutral in the conflict, providing assistance only if directly requested by either side, against the backdrop of expanding war-and-conflicts and political tensions between Iran and its regional neighbors.
