Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin Moscow has secretly been assisting Iran to develop supersonic cruise missiles since 2023, according to an investigation by the Financial Times. The technology transfer under codename C430L has reportedly continued into the US conflict with Iran, aiming to threaten warships in the Middle East. Reports indicate that Russia has also supplied Tehran with military drones and intelligence on American troop, ship and aircraft movements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that US negotiators trust Russian leader Vladimir Putin too much, despite Russia aiding Iranian forces. The Trump administration has acknowledged reports of Russian military support for Iran but played down its overall significance. Russia 'helping Iran to build missiles' to target US warships Russia has secretly helped Iran develop supersonic cruise missile technology capable of threatening US aircraft carriers and warships in the Middle East, according to a major investigation. The alleged programme has continued into the US-Iran war, with Moscow reportedly deploying experienced specialists and transferring sensitive technology to Tehran despite Washington’s efforts to improve relations with the Kremlin. Secret missile programme ran into the war According to the Financial Times, the Russian programme centres on a ‘ramjet’ propulsion system designed to allow cruise missiles to travel several times faster than sound. The technology transfer, reportedly codenamed C430L, began in 2023 and has continued during the conflict, based on leaked Russian correspondence, travel records and military patents. Missile expert Fabian Hinz described it as a major transfer of technology that Iran had sought for decades and which would have required approval “from the very top”. Moscow’s support goes far beyond missiles The alleged assistance comes amid a series of reports pointing to growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. A confidential document reported by The Economist suggested Russia had considered supplying Iran with thousands of fibre-optic drones, longer-range satellite-guided drones and training to help fight American forces in the Gulf. Western intelligence officials also warned in March that Russia was sending drones to Iran, while other claims suggested Moscow was sharing intelligence on US troop, ship and aircraft movements. Trump administration plays down the threat Ukrainian officials have also accused Russia of providing targeting data to Iran. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had raised the issue publicly, but criticised Washington for continuing to trust Vladimir Putin. He claimed Donald Trump’s lead negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had spent too much time with Putin during efforts to broker an end to the Ukraine war. The Trump administration has acknowledged allegations of Russian assistance to Iran but has played down their significance, according to reports. Russia is secretly helping Iran to develop supersonic cruise missiles, says report | The Independent
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