US, UK Worried Russia Is Sharing Nuclear Secrets with Iran – Bloomberg

Russia ready to trade information with Iran for ballistic missiles, Western officials say Kremlin cooperation with Tehran on nuclear weapons is expanding.

According to them, the British Prime Minister and the US President discussed the issue at the White House. Biden confirmed the US readiness to use all means to prevent nuclear escalation. Blinken also claims that Russia is transferring nuclear technology and Fath-360 ballistic missiles to Iran.

This is what he writes about Bloomberg September 14, 2024.

Russia cooperates with Iran not only on nuclear issues, but also exchanges space information. The US State Department has confirmed the existence of a nuclear program in Iran. The country's nuclear fuel levels increased from June to August, which could allow it to build several nuclear warheads. The CIA director said that Russia and Iran are strengthening their military relations. The G7 foreign ministers condemned Russia's sale of missiles to Iran as an escalation of Russia's military support in Ukraine.

Iran says it has no plans to build nuclear weapons, but the West fears the opposite. This was announced at a conference in London, where it was also stated that Iran's growing nuclear fuel supply could lead to the creation of nuclear weapons. Foreign ministers demanded an end to missile supplies to Iran and the purchase of nuclear fuel from Russia.

Background to Iran's Nuclear Program and Cooperation with Russia

Iran's nuclear program began in the 1950s as part of the U.S.-backed Atoms for Peace program. However, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, international support ceased, and Iran set a course for independent development of the nuclear industry. During the 1990s, Iran received significant assistance from Russia, which, despite sanctions and international pressure, continued to cooperate with Iran in the nuclear field.

Russia played a key role in the construction of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, which became Iran’s first commercial reactor. This cooperation was strategically important for both countries. For Iran, it was a way to develop its nuclear program and receive technological support. For Russia, it was an opportunity to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and maintain the balance of power.

Relations between Russia and Iran on the nuclear program have always been ambivalent. On the one hand, Russia supported UN Security Council sanctions against Iran's nuclear ambitions, but on the other hand, it continued economic and technological cooperation. Moscow has repeatedly found itself in the role of mediator between Iran and the West when nuclear talks reached an impasse.

The key moment came in 2015, when the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed. Russia favored the agreement because it would control Iran’s nuclear program and ease tensions. However, after the US withdrew from the deal in 2018, Iran resumed enriching uranium and increased its nuclear capabilities, which again exacerbated the international situation.

Modern cooperation between Russia and Iran

Amid growing sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Tehran and Moscow have grown even closer, deepening military and technological cooperation. Russia has been actively using Iranian drones in its war against Ukraine, and now cooperation is expanding to the nuclear sphere. Russia is reportedly exchanging nuclear technology for Fath-360 ballistic missiles, causing serious concern among Western countries.

Iran, although it says it does not seek nuclear weapons, is ramping up production of enriched uranium, a move that could eventually enable it to build nuclear warheads, heightening concerns in the West. The United States and its allies continue to pressure Tehran and Moscow to halt these programs and end military escalation.

Conclusion

Nuclear cooperation between Russia and Iran is one of the most dangerous factors in modern geopolitics. Both countries use this interaction to strengthen their positions in the international arena. Current events, such as the possible exchange of nuclear technology for missiles, only exacerbate tensions and increase the risk of escalation in the region.

Russia and Iran's nuclear and military cooperation poses a serious threat to Israel for several reasons.

1. Iran's nuclear program: The Iranian regime is hostile to Israel and has repeatedly threatened its destruction. If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would pose a direct and existential threat to Israel. Given Iranian statements, such an arsenal could be used as a means of pressure on Israel and its allies. Israel is already taking steps to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, including through military operations such as past strikes on nuclear facilities.
2. Ballistic missiles: Russia, by exchanging its technology for Iranian ballistic missiles, is strengthening Iran's military potential. These missiles can reach Israeli territory, which creates an additional threat to Israel's national security. Even if Iran does not have nuclear weapons, equipping its missiles with modern technology or weapons of mass destruction could destabilize the entire region.
3. Military alliances: The rapprochement between Russia and Iran strengthens their positions in the region. Iran already actively supports anti-Israel groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and other militias in Syria that border Israel. Strengthening Iran with Russia's help could make these groups more dangerous and aggressive, increasing the likelihood of military conflicts with Israel.
4. Undermining the regional balance: Iran's strengthening of its nuclear and missile capabilities could trigger an arms race in the Middle East, directly affecting Israel. Gulf states and other regional players will also seek to strengthen their military capabilities, increasing the likelihood of conflict and general instability.

Thus, the close interaction between Russia and Iran poses a multi-layered threat to Israel that affects both its national security and the stability of the entire Middle East.