US to consider Ukraine’s missile request as Russia gets help from Iran

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States will hold discussions about Ukraine’s use of long-range Western weapons against Russia, after confirming that Moscow had received ballistic missile deliveries from Iran.

“We will review and listen” to Ukraine’s request to lift restrictions on its use of long-range missiles, Blinken said Tuesday at a news conference with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London, signaling that the United States is open to changing its position.

The two diplomats will travel to kyiv on Wednesday, before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets US President Joe Biden in Washington on Friday, when Blinken said the missile issue would also be discussed.

The United States currently opposes Ukraine using these weapons on Russian territory, previously citing concerns about possible Russian escalation in response.

Blinken said Iran had transferred a shipment of its Fath-360 missiles to Russia, defying warnings from the United States and its allies that had been warning for months. The transfer represents Tehran’s growing involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The governments of France, Germany and Britain issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s move as a “direct threat to European security.”

Moscow would likely use the missiles on Ukrainian territory “within weeks,” Blinken said, confirming a Bloomberg report last week that the arms transfer had taken place.

The United States and its allies will announce measures against Tehran soon, Blinken said, including against its national carrier Iran Air.

The state-owned airline flies to 17 international destinations, including Frankfurt, London and Rome in Europe, as well as Istanbul and Dubai closer to home, according to its website, with a fleet of 17 aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing and ATR models. It is already sanctioned by the United States

The Ukrainian foreign minister summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires on Monday over reports of an arms transfer to Russia, which Iran denies.

Iranian ballistic missiles would give the Kremlin additional flexibility in its ability to attack Ukraine, Blinken said, warning that the war had entered a “critical moment.” He also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “weaponizing” energy and power ahead of an “intense fall fighting season.”

The trip to kyiv will be Blinken’s fifth since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The joint visit with Lammy comes after Ukraine’s invasion of Russia’s Kursk region, which left allies and partners both impressed and concerned about the long-term tactical and strategic implications.

The UK has already indicated it is open to the idea of ​​Ukraine striking military targets in Russia with British Storm Shadow missiles. However, Lammy would not comment on his position at Tuesday’s press conference, insisting it was not the right forum to have such a discussion.

The Biden administration has so far vetoed the use of its long-range ATACMS missiles in Russia.

Blinken also called on Israel to lower the “temperature” in its war against Hamas in Gaza. He said it was in everyone’s interest for a ceasefire to be reached.