Iranian missiles that reach as far as Europe have been handed over to Iraqi proxy groups in a major snub to Donald Trump. The US President has threatened consequences for Tehran for the actions of its Shia militias. The Times reports that Iran has been increasing its presence in the Middle Eastern region by dispatching a new weaponry, and it has been hoped that this would cease ahead of negotiations with the US over its missile and nuclear programmes.
According to regional intelligence, the delivery of the ordinance was organised by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force. This is the first time long-range surface-to-surface missiles have been possessed by a militia in Iraq allied with Iran. It is believed that two other types of missiles, Quds 351 cruise and Jamal 69 ballistic, were also transferred into Iraq last week. But these have a shorter range than the new surface-to-surface versions, which are capable of being positioned to target as far as Europe.
A regional intelligence source said: “Iran has recently transferred missiles to Shia militias in Iraq, including new models with longer range, which have not been given in the past to those militias. It’s a desperate move by the Iranians, risking the stability of Iraq.”
Mr Trump warned this week that Israel would be the “leader” of a potential military strike against Iran if it does not give up its nuclear weapons programme.
The US President made the comments before this weekend’s scheduled talks involving US and Iranian officials in Oman.
He said this week said the talks would be “direct” while Iran has described the engagement as “indirect”.
“If it requires military, we’re going to have military,” Mr Trump said.
“Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. They’ll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us, but we do what we want to do.”
