World
A missile launched during a military drill in southern Iran on January 19, 2024. Photo: Iranian army/AP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - G7 countries on Friday threatened “significant measures” against Iran if it provides ballistic missiles to Russia.
“We reiterate our call on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine or face severe costs,” read a statement from the world’s major industrialized countries known as the G7.
“Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran,” the statement added.
The G7 countries said they were “concerned” about reports Iran was considering providing Moscow with ballistic missiles, adding that Tehran has already “supplied the Russian regime with UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles].”
Following the breakout of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February 2022, the two countries turned to their allies for military support. Kyiv looked to Western nations, while Moscow chose Iran, China, and Pyongyang.
Iran has on multiple occasions rejected accusations it sold drones to Russia. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in May said Tehran is not providing assistance to either side of the war. The Islamic Republic has previously said that it sent drones to Russia before the war broke out.
The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union have imposed sanctions on Tehran over the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine.
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