White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication, John Kirby, has told reporters that, "there will be severe response including sanctions if Iran moves ahead on missiles to Russia."
- Kirby adds the US has, "not seen confirmation that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia," but says, "Iran [is] providing Russia with significant number of drones which Russia using to attack Ukraine."
- Kirby: "Putin thinks it is his best chance to bring Ukraine to its knees," and says, "there will be additional sanctions in coming days."
- Kirby also says the US is, "concerned about support from Chinese companies to Russia's defense industry."
- Reuters reported yesterday that, according to multiple sources, Iran has provided around 400 Fateh-110 class short-range ballistic missile to Russia. The "road-mobile missile" is capable of striking targets at a distance of between 300 and 700 km. The sources suggested that more shipments, via the Caspian Sea, were expected in coming weeks.
- Reuters: "The shipments began in early January after a deal was finalised in meetings late last year between Iranian and Russian military and security officials that took place in Tehran and Moscow, one of the Iranian sources said."