The White House issued a warning to Iran on Friday evening regarding its ongoing negotiations to sell ballistic missiles to Russia, indicating that there would be “swift consequences.” John Kirby, the National Security Council’s Communications Coordinator, mentioned in press statements reported by Al-Hurra, an American channel, that “negotiations between Russia and Iran for the purchase of short-range missiles are ongoing and making progress.”
Kirby emphasized that Russia and Iran would face immediate consequences if the missile deal is finalized. This statement comes in response to a warning issued by the Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations to Iran on Friday against transferring ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its conflict with Ukraine, stating that actions would be taken against Tehran if it proceeded with such transfers.
Recent tensions between the US and Iran have escalated notably during the Israel-Hamas war, with a series of attacks on US forces and installations in the Middle East. These incidents, many of which were attributed to Iranian-backed militias, included attacks on military bases hosting US forces in Iraq and Syria, drone and missile attacks, and the interception of attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen aimed potentially at Israel. The series of hostilities began in mid-October and saw a range of targets, including oil fields, airbases, and military bases, coming under fire from drones, missiles, and rockets, pointing to a heightened level of confrontation between US forces and Iranian proxies in the region.
In a separate but related development, recent incidents have raised concerns over the security of maritime routes in the Middle East, notably with Iran issuing warnings over the potential targeting of two cargo vessels, the Saviz and Behshad. These vessels were referred to as floating armories and were implicated in previous tensions, including a significant attack on the Saviz in 2021, believed to have been orchestrated by Israel. Such maritime incidents underscore the ongoing risk of escalation in the region, highlighting the fragile security situation and the potential for broader conflict involving key international shipping lanes.
