Iranian ballistic missile launched from a photo ship: Salampix / Abaca / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Iran is preparing to deliver in the near future short -range ballistic rocket launchers, two Western security officials and an official from the region said, writes Reuters. Iran denied that he has this intention and labeled the information as “completely absurd”.
The delivery of FATH-360 launchers, if it will take place, would help Russia in wear assaults on Ukrainian troops and would reconfirm the strengthening of security bonds between Moscow and Tehran. With a 120-kilometer range, Fath-360 would give Moscow forces a new weapon to use against Ukrainian troops, military objectives close to the front, as well as cities near the border with Russia.
Rockets were sent without launchers
The United States had claimed since September last year that Iran delivered the rockets with the help of nine ships under the Russian flag, but sources quoted by Reuters said that launchers had not been part of transport. However, Reuters sources say that the delivery of the launchers is now imminent, although it is not known why the missiles were delivered before the launchers.
So far Russia and Iran have denied the existence of armament transfers after the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, but officials from the US, Europe and Ukraine have stated that Iran sent thousands of drones, to which are added ammunition.
American General Christopher Cavoli said, last month, in the US Congress, that Iran donated over 400 short-range ballistic missiles, an apparent reference to Fath-360.
The use of these missiles could complicate the efforts of President Donald Trump to obtain a truce and start peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as well as obtaining an agreement with Iran on limiting his nuclear program.
The regional official quoted by Reuters claims that the indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, were among the “several reasons” for the delayed delivery of the launchers. The discussions entered the deadlock, although Iran agreed on Friday for a fourth round of negotiations in Oman, on Sunday.
Jack Watling, a researcher at the Royal United Institute, a British Think Tank, that Iranian officials would consider the question of sending Russia as separate from the nuclear file.
How important are Fath-360 for Russia
Analysts claim that an obstacle is possible: Iran had to modify trucks made in Europe to install FATH-360 launches and could have to do the same for Russia, given the massive losses of vehicles in Ukraine.
With these launchers, Russia could intensify the pressure on Ukraine. “It would be much easier to launch a much faster blow against important targets. Fath-360 does not need a lot of launch training. Their flight time is incredibly short,” said Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The use of FATH-360 would allow Russia to use its more advanced missiles, such as Iskander, for long-range blows on critical infrastructure, including energy, which would drain Ukraine's defense rocket stock.
Fath-360 “is designed to be handled and operated by people with relatively little training,” says Ralph Savelsberg, associate professor at the Dutch defense academy.
“Why would they buy inferior Iranian missiles? The only reason I can think of is that Russia cannot produce a sufficient number of their own rocket models. They are not very accurate and have no big load, but it is added to Ukraine's headaches,” said Sversberg.
