United States implements fresh financial restrictions on Iran
The United States has accused Iran of providing rockets to Russia, a move that Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeled as a "significant escalation." Blinken made this statement during a joint press conference with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in London. As a result, Blinken announced new U.S. sanctions against Iran and urged international allies to take similar actions. Ukraine had previously summoned the Iranian ambassador in response to media reports about the rocket deliveries.
In terms of Russia's strategic capabilities, Blinken explained that Iran's ballistic missiles would enable Russia to target locations beyond the frontlines with its own arsenal. These Iranian Fateh-360 rockets, with a range of around 120 kilometers, could then be used for closer targets. Blinken highlighted that this situation and the expanding partnership between Russia and Iran poses a threat to Europe's security and demonstrates Iran's destabilizing influence stretching beyond the Middle East.
Rebutting the allegations, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani dismissed the reports as politically motivated and aimed at defaming Iran. Iran had previously been accused of supplying so-called kamikaze drones to Russia, which it also denied.
Blinken headed to London at the beginning of the week for talks on deepening cooperation with the British government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to visit Washington later in the week. As part of the collaboration, Foreign Secretary Lammy announced he would join Blinken on a trip to Kyiv. Lammy expressed his excitement about the visit, claiming it signifies their collective commitment to supporting Ukraine, describing it as their "first such visit in over a decade."
The United States' accusation against Iran for providing rockets to Russia has raised concerns within the United States of America, viewing it as a potential threat to its allies' security. During the joint press conference in London, Blinken urged the United States of America's international allies to impose similar sanctions against Iran.
