Iran denies claims of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Iranian mission reiterated on Friday that Iran's stance on the Ukraine conflict, which stresses the importance of avoiding actions that could escalate hostilities, remains consistent. 

"Iran maintains its unchanged position on the Ukraine crisis. Iran condemns the supply of military aid to the conflicting parties, as it results in higher human casualties, infrastructure damage, and hinders ceasefire efforts."

Additionally, the Iranian mission urged for a halt in weapon transfers to any of the conflicting factions.

"Iran not only refrains from participating in such activities but also calls on other nations to stop arming the factions involved in the conflict."

US officials raised concerns on Friday regarding a perceived dangerous intensification in the Ukraine conflict following reports from Western media outlets alleging Iran's transfer of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

Accusations of arms shipments to Russia have been recurrently made against Iran by Western powers, notably the US, UK, and France, since the conflict began in February 2022.

Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saied Iravani, strongly dismissed the "unfounded and deceptive" claims in letters addressed to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council.

"It is both paradoxical and hypocritical that three actively involved countries in the Ukraine conflict, exacerbating the crisis through sophisticated weaponry supply, are baselessly accusing Iran," Iravani remarked, highlighting how Western arms have prolonged the conflict and harmed civilians and vital infrastructure.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran perceives these allegations as mere manifestations of the self-serving political agendas of these three Council members, aimed at advancing their interests," added the Iranian envoy.