Iran confirms supplying ballistic missiles to Russia

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian government, confirmed that Iran has delivered ballistic missiles to Russia. Previous reports suggest that the missiles in question are likely Fath-360 missiles.

According to the portal Militarny, Ardestani announced the shipment of Iranian weapons to Russia in an interview with the newspaper "Didban Iran." As reported, the Iranian politician believes that bartering with Russia is essential to "meet our needs, including the import of soybeans and wheat."

Part of the exchange involves sending missiles, and the other part consists in sending military drones to Russia, said the Iranian official. Ardestani also responded to whether sending ballistic missiles to Russia would lead to further sanctions against Iran. In his view, "It cannot be worse than it is".

Let us recall that reports about the transfer of missiles from Iran to Russia have been surfacing for at least several weeks. Tehran has recently been seeking S-400 air defence systems from Russia to boost its defence capabilities. At the same time, Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeszkian in Tehran to discuss deepening the partnership between the two countries.

Shortly thereafter, anonymous informants indicated that Iran was preparing to send Fath-360 missiles while simultaneously training Russian Federation soldiers on its territory. Soon after, the American daily "The Wall Street Journal," citing high-ranking US and European officials who wished to remain anonymous, reported that the shipment of weapons from Iran to Russia had already started. The Iranian politician now confirms this.

In the context of the weapons that Iran is said to be delivering to Russia, it is most likely referring to Fath-360 missiles. These missiles are characterized by a length of about 17 feet and a diameter of just under 1.5 feet. The mass of this missile is around 1,800 pounds. With the ability to strike targets located 75 miles away from the launch point, this missile is considered highly effective. Its GNSS and GLONASS satellite guidance systems, coupled with inertial navigation, ensure high strike precision. Upon contact with the target, the missile reaches a speed of up to Mach 4, making it an exceptionally dangerous tool in military operations.

The Fath-360 is not just a single ballistic missile but also a component of an advanced weapon system. The applied technologies, including precise satellite guidance and the ability to reach speeds of Mach 4, make it significantly challenging for defence systems to counteract the missile. Additionally, the large warhead mass causes substantial destruction upon impact.