Putin Once Laughed at Iran's Missile Threat to Europe—Now He Could Use It
Summary
Vladimir Putin laughed in a 2012 interview when asked about Iranian missiles as a reason for NATO missile defenses in Europe. Iran now threatens to strike U.S. bases supporting its war with the United States, while analysts say its missile range and cooperation with Russia could increase the threat to Europe.Key Facts
- In a 2012 documentary interview, Putin laughed when a German journalist raised Iranian missiles as a justification for NATO missile defenses in Europe.
- Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Iranian strikes could target military bases involved in attacks on Iran, including bases in Europe.
- Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Iran wants missiles with enough range to reach all of Europe and could use them to threaten European governments and U.S. bases.
- Bowman said Iran can already reach parts of Eastern Europe and that its missile range could grow faster with Russian help.
- Russia and Iran cooperated during interventions in Syria and later in drone warfare, including Russia's use of a licensed version of Iran's Shahed drone in Ukraine.
- Reports described Russian assistance to Iran in areas including drones, its space-launch vehicle program, and information about targets.
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