Ukrainian foreign ministry summons Iranian envoy over missile deliveries to Russia

Source: Ukraine’s foreign ministry

On Monday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Shahriyar Amouzegar, Iran’s temporary chargé d’affaires, to express deep concern over reports that Iran is sending ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation. Ukrainian officials sent a clear signal about the consequences of such actions.

The Iranian diplomat was told that supplies of ballistic weapons to Russia could lead to “devastating and irreversible consequences” for bilateral relations between Ukraine and Iran.

This follows earlier reports that Iranian MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani admitted to the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia despite Tehran’s official denials. Ardestani’s comments came just one day after Iran’s UN mission refuted a Wall Street Journal report regarding the supply of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

Ardestani argue his country had to send the weapons as part of barter schemes“to receive “soybeans and wheat”.

Ukraine has made clear that any confirmed military support for Russia would severely impact the already fragile relations between the two nations.