EU weighs 'strong' response to Iran's missile deliveries to Russia

The European Union has joined the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany in accusing Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles for Russia to wage its war in Ukraine.

The 27-country bloc has received “credible” evidence of the deliveries, according to a statement seen by Euronews, which adds that the weapons are likely assisting Moscow in its “escalatory bombing campaign against Ukrainian civilians, cities and civilian infrastructure, further increasing civilian casualties and destruction.”

“Such support to Russia’s terrorising campaign against Ukraine’s population will be met with a strong EU response,” the statement also says.

“High Representative (Josep) Borrell has already put to EU Member States a substantial set of decisive and targeted measures as part of EU’s response, which will have to be agreed unanimously by all Member States.“

The EU’s reaction came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London, promised fresh sanctions on Tehran for its procurement of the deadly weapons. It indicates that the West is moving in lockstep in its response.

The foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany also issued a joint statement describing the move as an “escalation” by both Iran and Russia and a “direct threat to European security.”

The three European governments say they will consider a range of retaliatory measures, including cancelling bilateral air services agreements with Iran.

They will also explore sanctioning entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile programme, as well as national airline Iran Air.

The European Union has already imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities for delivering drones used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions involve travel bans, asset freezes and restricting access to funds or economic resources.

But the latest accusations could see the bloc step up its own retaliatory measures.

Iran has so far rejected Western claims it is supplying the missiles to the Kremlin.

“We strongly reject the claims on Iran’s role in exporting arms to one side of the war,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

The latest claims of Iranian support to the regime in Moscow come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks the permission of Western allies to strike targets deep inside Russia.

On Tuesday, Ukraine launched its biggest drone attack since the start of the war in February 2022, targeting the Moscow region.