WSJ: Iran Sent Short-Range Ballistic Missiles to Russia

6 September, 2024 Launcher for Iranian Zolfaghar ballistic missiles. Photo from the open sources The United States informed its allies that Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

The Wall Street Journal reported about this on Friday, September 6, citing its sources. According to the WSJ, this move will give Moscow another potent military tool to use in the war against Ukraine. The move comes as Russia has stepped up its missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, killing dozens of civilians in recent days.

According to European officials, Washington has informed allies of the Iranian move in the past couple of days. Previously, Group of Seven leaders warned they would impose coordinated sanctions on Iran if it carried out the missile transfer. On September 2, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that Iran would soon transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.

Back in February, various publications reported that Iran had sent more than a hundred Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which are developed on the basis of Fateh-110. However, later, the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Iran did not transfer long-range missiles to Russia.

Launcher for Iranian Zolfaghar ballistic missiles. Photo from the open sources

A Zolfaghar ballistic missile is a short-range missile that is mounted on a mobile launcher with two or one launcher.

It is capable of covering a distance of up to 700 km, and its warhead is 579 kg.

The guidance of the missile consists of an inertial system, and for accurate targeting, it additionally has an optronic seeker, which is used on the terminal flight path, as well as GPS.