Background on Key Players and Context
Iran is preparing to deliver short-range ballistic missile launchers, known as Fath-360, to Russia in the near future. This development comes amidst ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the United States alleging that Iran had previously sent these missiles to Russia in nine sanctioned Russian vessels. However, Iran has denied these claims, calling them “completely absurd.”
Iran’s potential delivery of Fath-360 launchers to Russia is significant due to the growing security ties between Moscow and Tehran. These missiles, with a range of 120 kilometers, would provide Russian forces with new capabilities to target Ukrainian troops, military installations, and population centers near the border. This development could complicate U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as well as negotiations with Iran to curb its nuclear program.
Details of the Missile Transfer
According to Western security officials and a regional source, the transfer of Fath-360 launchers is imminent. They declined to provide further details, including the reason for the delay in delivering these launchers alongside the initial missiles. The Iranian mission to the United Nations dismissed these allegations as “unfounded,” stating that Iran would refrain from providing any military assistance to either party involved in the conflict.
Implications of Missile Deployment
The deployment of these missiles by Russia could intensify pressure on Ukraine, enabling faster and more targeted attacks against high-value targets. Analysts suggest that this development might allow Russia to conserve more advanced missiles, like the Iskander, for long-range strikes against critical infrastructure, such as Ukraine’s power grid. This would test Ukraine’s valuable missile defense systems.
The Fath-360 is designed to be operated by personnel with limited training, according to Ralph Savelsberg, a lecturer at the Netherlands Defence Academy. He suggests that Russia might be acquiring these Iranian missiles due to production limitations, as they are not highly precise or carry large payloads.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the Fath-360 missile launchers? The Fath-360 is a short-range ballistic missile launcher with an approximate range of 120 kilometers.
- Why is Iran’s potential delivery of these missiles to Russia significant? This development reflects the growing security ties between Moscow and Tehran, potentially complicating U.S. efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine and negotiate limitations on Iran’s nuclear program.
- How would the deployment of Fath-360 missiles impact Ukraine? These missiles could enable Russia to conduct faster and more targeted attacks against Ukrainian forces, military installations, and population centers near the border. This might also force Ukraine to test its missile defense systems against a larger volume of incoming projectiles.
- Why might Russia be acquiring Fath-360 missiles from Iran? According to Ralph Savelsberg, these missiles may not be as precise or carry large payloads compared to Russia’s more advanced systems. The acquisition could be due to production limitations, as Russia might struggle to manufacture sufficient quantities of its own missiles.
