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The United States said on Friday that any Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a major escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, as Western countries threaten to increase sanctions on Tehran.

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Washington’s criticism comes in the wake of reports that the two countries have deepened their ties in recent weeks through the transfer of such weapons.

In August, Russia was expecting to soon receive hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles of the Fateh-360 type from Iran, and dozens of Russian soldiers are currently training in Iran on satellite-guided weapons to eventually use them in the war in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing an unnamed U.S. official, that Iran had already delivered short-range missiles to Russia.

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White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “We have warned of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and we are troubled by these reports.”

He added, “Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a radical escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.” Another U.S. official said they are closely monitoring the potential transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia.

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Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York reaffirmed on Friday that Tehran’s stance on the Ukraine conflict had not changed.

It added, “Iran considers providing military assistance to either side involved in the conflict to be inhumane, as it leads to increased human casualties, the destruction of infrastructure, and a move away from ceasefire negotiations.”

It continued, “Therefore, not only does Iran not participate in such actions, but it also calls on other countries to stop supplying weapons to either party involved in the conflict.”

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Last month, dozens of Russian military personnel received training in Iran on the use of short-range ballistic missile systems (Fateh-360). Two European intelligence sources predicted that Iran would soon supply Russia with hundreds of satellite-guided weapons for its war in Ukraine.

The two intelligence officials, who requested anonymity, indicated that representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense are believed to have signed a contract on December 13 in Tehran with Iranian officials to acquire Fateh-360 missiles and another ballistic missile system manufactured by Iran’s government-owned Aerospace Industries Organization, known as Ababil missiles.

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In February, six sources reported that Iran had supplied Russia with a significant number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, further strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, both under U.S. sanctions.

Three Iranian sources said that Tehran had provided approximately 400 missiles, including several short-range ballistic missiles from the Fateh-110 family, such as the Zolfaghar missile. Experts say this mobile missile is capable of hitting targets at distances ranging from 300 to 700 kilometers.

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Iran also supplied Russia with a fleet of drones that have been used to target energy infrastructure and civilian sites in Ukraine.