**US and UK Reaffirm Commitment to Taiwan Strait Peace, Confirm Iran Supplies Russian Missiles**
In a joint press conference in London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. Blinken highlighted the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability as well as the current status quo, emphasizing its significance for countries worldwide.
The officials also confirmed that Russia has received short-range ballistic missiles Fath-360 from Iran and intends to deploy these missiles in the Ukraine conflict within weeks. Blinken described this development as a “dramatic escalation” in the situation in Ukraine. The Fath-360 missiles, with a maximum range of approximately 120 kilometers, will significantly enhance Russia’s operational flexibility, range, and capability, allowing them to use their limited stock of long-range missiles for striking targets within Ukraine while employing short-range missiles for closer targets without the need for longer-range missile deployment.
Reports as early as August indicated that Iran may supply Russia with the Fath-360 missiles, with estimates suggesting a quantity of over 200 missiles. However, the CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore did not officially confirm this information during a public event in London. Prior to this missile transfer, Iran had already provided attack drones to Russia, trained Russian personnel in drone operation, and established factories within Russia.
Despite warnings from the US to Iran against supplying missiles to Russia, evidence suggests that Russian personnel have been in Iran learning to operate the Fath-360 missiles. Iran is also seeking further assistance from Russia in nuclear and space domains. As tensions in Ukraine escalate, Blinken and Lammy announced their plans to visit Kyiv this week for a firsthand understanding of the situation and to assess Ukrainian needs, strategies, and the overall assessment of the conflict. Additionally, the US and UK plan to impose new sanctions on Iran.
Regarding questions about when the US will lift the ban on Ukraine using American-made weapons for striking Russian targets, including long-range strikes, Blinken did not provide a direct answer. He emphasized the importance of considering various factors, including Ukraine’s effective use of such weapons and whether it aligns with a comprehensive strategy. Blinken reiterated the significance of visiting Kyiv and engaging with Ukrainian officials directly.
Blinken noted that Iran directly supports Russia, while China provides indirect support. Regardless of direct or indirect assistance to Russia, these actions perpetuate conflict and threaten Europe, with Russia posing the most significant threat to Europe since the end of the Cold War. He highlighted that China’s support strengthens Russia’s military-industrial complex, with China being Russia’s largest source of machine tools and microelectronic products.
As global security challenges increase, Blinken encouraged NATO allies and partners to increase defense spending, commending the UK’s commitment to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. He mentioned a growing awareness among allies and partners about the interconnectedness of regional security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, leading to initiatives like the AUKUS security partnership established in 2021.
These developments underscore the importance of international cooperation and strategic alliances in addressing evolving security threats and maintaining global stability. The US and UK’s collaborative efforts, along with their engagement with allies and partners, demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding peace, security, and international norms in the face of emerging challenges.
