U.S. Officials Are Saying Russia Is Moving Forward With Plans To Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles

Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles © Provided by The Wall Street Journal  

Wall Street Journal: Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles 

Russia is planning to buy short-range ballistic missiles from Iran, a step that would enhance Moscow’s ability to target Ukraine’s infrastructure at a critical moment in the conflict, U.S. officials said. 

Moscow’s plans have provoked deep concern within the Biden administration and come as support wanes in Congress for continued U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. Lawmakers have yet to pass a bill that would provide additional funding for Ukraine. 

“The United States is concerned that Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran are actively advancing,” one of the U.S. officials said. “We assess that Russia intends to purchase missile systems from Iran.” 

Delivery of the Iranian missiles could happen as soon as this spring if the purchase proceeds, but U.S. officials don’t believe the deal has been completed.  

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Update #1: Russia moves forward with Iran deal to purchase ballistic missiles, report says (FOX News)  

Update #2: Russia appears poised to purchase ballistic missiles from Iran, official says (CNN)  

WNU Editor: The Western narrative is that Russia wants ballistic missiles to overcome Ukraine's Western supplied air defenses .... Russia wants missiles from North Korea and Iran because they can exploit a gap in Ukraine's air defenses, analysts say (Business Insider).