UK hauls in Iranian diplomat over missiles to Russia
by AFP Staff Writers
London (AFP) Sept 11, 2024
The UK government on Wednesday said it had summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to warn that Tehran would face a "significant response" if it continued to supply Russia with missiles to use in Ukraine.

Foreign minister David Lammy -- currently in Kyiv on a joint trip with his US counterpart Antony Blinken -- ordered Ali Matinfar to be called in over the transfers.

On Tuesday, Blinken said Iran had repeatedly ignored warnings not to supply Moscow with the short-range weapons, which he said could be used "within weeks" against Ukrainian forces.

"The UK Government was clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would be seen as a dangerous escalation and would face a significant response," a foreign ministry statement read.

The United States and the so-called E3 powers of the UK, France and Germany have announced new sanctions against Iran in response to the transfers, which risks escalating the two-and-a-half year conflict.

Measures include banning national carrier Iran Air from their airspace. A number of individuals and companies involved in the transfer have also been hit with restrictions.

Related Links
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com