(Washington) The Wagner paramilitary group, at the request of the Russian authorities, “is preparing to deliver an anti-aircraft defense system either to Hezbollah or to Iran,” a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“We are prepared to use our anti-terrorism sanctions regime against Russian individuals or entities” in response, said John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council.
Iran for its part “could prepare to take a further step” in its military assistance to Russia, he said.
In addition to drones and other equipment that Washington says it already supplies to the Russian military, “Iran is considering delivering ballistic missiles that Russia could use in Ukraine,” the spokesperson added.
As for the Lebanese pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah, it is carrying out a series of attacks against the Israeli army, against a backdrop of war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The United States has been warning for several months about the deepening of military relations between Moscow and Tehran.
This cooperation “is obviously harmful for Ukraine, for Iran’s neighbors and for the international order,” said John Kirby.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu went to Iran in September for an official visit which was at the time described as an “important step” for military cooperation between the two countries.
Moscow and Tehran are subject to international sanctions which restrict trade. Over the past year, they have formed close ties across several sectors.