Russia sharing nuclear secrets with Iran fuels U.S., U.K. worries

The U.S. and U.K. are increasingly concerned that Russia is sharing with Iran secret information and technology that could bring it closer to being able to build nuclear weapons, in exchange for Tehran providing Moscow with ballistic missiles for its war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has increased its cooperation with Iran over its ambitions to obtain atomic weapons in recent months, according to Western officials familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss assessments that haven’t been made public.

The development was discussed by U.S. and U.K. officials in Washington this week, the people added, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met President Joe Biden at the White House for a strategic meeting on foreign policy. They described it as worrying, and an escalation of Russia and Iran’s military ties.

Russia’s foreign ministry, Iran’s embassy at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, and the US National Security Council didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that Russia was exchanging nuclear technology with Tehran during a press conference in London last week, during which he said Moscow had received a shipment of Iran’s Fath-360 ballistic missiles.

“For its part, Russia is sharing technology that Iran seeks — this is a two-way street — including on nuclear issues, as well as some space information,” Blinken said.

Iran insists it isn’t looking to produce nuclear weapons, although there’ve been growing concerns the Persian Gulf nation could build them in response to escalating tensions with Israel.

In April, a senior Iranian general said the Islamic Republic could revise its nuclear doctrine if Israel targeted its atomic facilities, remarks that were seen as a warning that it could seek to produce a warhead, having long said its atomic capabilities were only for civil purposes.

IAEA, the United Nations watchdog, said Iran’s nuclear-fuel levels rose between June and August, enough to fuel a handful of warheads should Iran make a political decision to pursue weapons.

At a conference in London last weekend, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns said Russia and Iran were deepening their military relations.

———

(With assistance from Jenny Leonard.)