Russia has been secretly supporting Iranian missile development since 2023, according to a Financial Times report on Tuesday. The goal of the program, codenamed C430L, was to help Iran develop missiles capable of shooting down US Navy aircraft carriers in the Middle East. In particular, they sought to develop a ramjet propulsion system that would allow Iranian missiles to fly at several times the speed of sound. Fast, low-flying missiles would give Western air defenses less time to react, increasing the impact of such an attack. The transfer of advanced missile technology would have required approval from Russia’s highest political levels, amid speculation that it was a technology exchange. Iran supports Russian drone development and Russia supports Iranian missile development, in addition to the intelligence cooperation already existing between the two. Leaks seen by the Financial Times showed that preparations for the deal were underway before it was signed in November 2023, just a month after October 7. “Russia is trying to expand the Ukraine war and draw the United States into different theaters,” said Nicole Grajewski, a professor at Sciences Po University in Paris. The investigation also showed that support continued throughout the war with Iran. in February, and provided significant assistance to Iran during its attacks on the Gulf states. Iran has long sought to develop a ramjet propulsion system, as far back as 2019, when then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was seen inspecting development sites. Iranian media also reported on tests of ramjet prototypes in August 2023. At least 14 dead in kyiv: Russia launches deadly missile attack on Ukraine
