Washington, DC – Ryan Costello, Policy Director with the National Iranian American Council, issued the following statement on reports that Iran had sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine:
Back to top“No nation should be sending weapons to a belligerent state engaged in an illegal war and mass rights violations against ordinary citizens. This is true for the U.S. government arming Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and it is true of the Iranian government’s alleged provision of ballistic missiles for Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
“Iran, which often notes how the world turned a blind eye as Saddam rained missiles on Iranian cities, is now accused of sending Russia missiles as it continues its invasion of Ukraine and uses its weaponry to deadly effect against ordinary civilians. If true, it is a direct step against the interests of peace and stability that should be condemned. It would also likely make de-escalation and diplomacy with the West, which Iran’s new President has declared he seeks, much more difficult.
“More broadly, deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran in recent years is an unfortunate and predictable consequence of the Trump administration’s decision to snap back sanctions on Iran and scuttle hard-fought efforts to improve ties with the West, and the Biden administration’s failure to restore the accord. We scuttle diplomatic solutions to problems like these at our own peril. More sanctions for deepening Russia-Iran military ties will not not seriously punish either nation’s leaders, as each nation is already deeply sanctioned. But some of the consequences being discussed – like cutting off travel to and from Europe for Iran Air – risk having serious consequences for ordinary Iranians and others in the diaspora. The U.S. and Europe must make a break from the dead end policies of escalation and isolation, and find a way to de-escalate across the board with Iran.”