PRESS RELEASE : FCDO summons Iranian Chargé d’Affaires over transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has today summoned the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in London in response to Iran’s transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

Today, in coordination with European partners and upon instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Mr. Ali Matinfar was summoned over Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

The UK Government was clear that any transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia would be seen as a dangerous escalation and would face a significant response.

The summons follows yesterday’s announcement where the UK, alongside international partners, outlined significant new measures against Iran and Russia, including cancelling our bilateral Air Services Arrangement with Iran. The United Kingdom has also sanctioned a number of key individuals and organisations for their involvement in Iran’s military support to Russia, including those involved in weapons supply chains that enable Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.