G7 issues stern warning to Iran over possible missile shipments to Russia

The U.S. and its G7 partners on Friday issued a sharp warning to Iran, threatening “significant measures” if Tehran sends ballistic missiles to Russia.

In a statement, the alliance, whose members include the United States, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, said that "we are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia after having supplied the Russian regime with UAVs, which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine."

“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 continued. The statement did not detail any specific actions the countries would take. It could, however, be a reference to future sanctions on Iran.

The statement follows a Reuters report in February that Iran had sent hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia after months of negotiations between Tehran and Moscow. Iran has denied that a transfer occurred.

There is no evidence that a transfer of ballistic missiles has already occurred, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the statement. But the allies are keen to send a unified message to Iran that if such a shipment were to proceed, it won’t be business as usual. Among the options being floated, the official explained, was a suspension of Iran Air flights to European cities. The official provided the briefing on condition of anonymity to discuss the statement ahead of its release.

The statement comes as concerns mount in Washington and Europe that Russia will be able to sustain its invasion of Ukraine longer than Kyiv’s allies can support and replenish Ukraine’s arsenals. It also comes as Moscow deepens its ties with other U.S. adversaries like Iran and North Korea as it pursues new supplies of munitions, missiles and other military hardware.

Iran has already provided Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles, guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition. Those weapons have been readily deployed by the Russian military on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Tehran too stands to benefit from the transfer, the senior administration official noted. Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of Russian military equipment that would increase the threat it poses to the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Middle East.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Following initial reports of the transfer in February, the Iranian mission in New York posted on X: “Despite no legal restrictions on ballistic missile sales, Iran is morally obligated to refrain from weapon transactions during the Russia-Ukraine conflict to prevent fueling the war — and that is rooted in Iran's adherence to international law and the UN Charter.”